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IVAN 



IVAN 



BY 

TALLI J. B0UK:N^IGHT 

Author of "Ophiel," a lyric poem 



NEW YOEK 

THE COSMOPOLITAN PRESS 

1912 






Copyright, 1912, by 
TALLI J. BOUKNIGHT 



0/ i^J^ 

'CI.A327M83 



IVAN 



lYAN 



"Shall I see thee no more in all the years 

That loom as dark and threatening clouds above 

My wintry head, that o'er the future hang 

As black, appalling night of deepest gloom; 

Nor hear thy deep and loving voice again 

As once it sounded low, affectionate. 

And sweet as solemn bells at morn that peal 

Across the hills and gloomy forests green 

To smiling vales, in echoes o'er and o'er. 

Where art thou now, my only son — Ivan, 

In thy proud youth more beautiful and strong, 

More glorious than the brightest lieralder 

Of days ascending reign, as angel bright, 

Who stands upon the distant mountain peak. 

In yonder placid river flowing calm 

And mournfully reflecting in its deep, 

Unfathomed still and cold the sombre sky 

Of mom which slowly creeps o 'er mountain far 

And dimly shining walls of castle high 

Of Altenstein, I seem to see the azure hue 

Of thy mysterious eyes which ever shone 

Upon me in their true and filial love. 

Strong in the might of youth, so proud, my life, 
My dark haired, innocent and smiling boy. 
In golden armour clad, with shining sword 



IVAN 

And bright, thou rodest away one morn in Spring 
When all was gay and light, save a broken heart 
Which beat so sadly here, and weeping eyes 
In pain which saw thee go so proudly down 
The winding way that leads from castle tall 
Into the world, to dangers of the war, 
The strife that as a woeful dream appears 
So dark within the trodden path of age. 
From turret window here I saw thee turn 
And wave a gallant hand on which there shone 
The golden ring I gave thee when a child 
Thy father lay in gloom, forever still, 
Unheeding cry of widow's lonely heart, 
The orphan's call, within that solemn hour 
Which wrapped him in the voiceless sleep of time ; 
The olden ring which gave thee heritage 
To castle by the river's solemn flow 
And power o'er the vassals of his might. 

]My only son, where wanderest thou to-night 

Afar from Oelmar's lonely castle wall? 

In gloom we cry to thee, return, or send 

A message to thy mother's aching heart. 

Through all the brief midsummer night, oppressed 

By suffocating heat and fears that fall 

Intangible about my weary head, 

I kneel by window close and iron barred 

Which opens from the highest turret wall 

And wait for thee; but from the mountain road 

Ascending, or the river's silent flood 

No sound as of approaching mortal comes. 

In wild Thuringian forest to and fro 

The phosphorescent lights in terror gleam, 

And low appalling cries of phantoms sound 

8 



IVAN 

As though consumed by tortures horrible. 

They have a message unintelligible 

From thee, my child. Their forms so plainly float 

Among the giant trees, their woeful cries 

So clearly sound across the dusky moat. 

I feel within my heart they know of thee 

And strive an awful fate of thee to tell. 

But faintly now and far across the hills 
The first inconstant ray of morn appears 
Upon the frowning sky, as though it fain 
Would flee again below the sombre east, 
Relieving not my sorrow with the hope 
That on its pinion comes a token sweet 
From him I love. From highest tower on 
The walls of Altenstein appears the gleam 
Of silvery cross, as though to mock my woe. 
Come not, thou summer day, oppressive, hot. 
And unendurable, unless to heart 
Of mother, desolate and wrung with grief. 
Thou bringest tidings of the one for whom 
These bitter tears are falling in the night. 
This frightful woe, my God, is merciless; 
No longer can I bear it. Send to me 
Assurance with the light, that I may know 
If yet he rides upon his gallant steed 
Unto the war beside his sovereign, 
Or if he coldly lies upon the plain, 
Forever still, within the battle slain." 

Catherine, aged princess of Oelmar, 
Rose sadly from the sultry window high 
In turret, iron barred, and slowly turned 



IVAN 

In stately, heartsick weariness to light 

Of candles burning in the earven wall. 

Her mournful garments, woven dark and long. 

Appeared as shadows of the gloomy night 

Yet lingering and unwelcome, to enshroud 

Her face and hands in deep, despairing woe. 

As pale as marble glow in holy gleam 

Of dim uncertain light, her flowing hair 

Shone snowy white above a noble brow 

And gentle as the dawn; and as she bent 

In weariness, extinguishing the gleam 

Of golden candles one by one, she seemed 

The embodiment of woe imprisoned in 

The strangely weird and black appalling gloom. 

One wavering light was let remain to shine 

Across the moat and river lying still 

Beneath the turreted and bastioned wall, 

On dread Thuringian wood and purple sky 

To minarets and walls of Altenstein. 

Reluctantly, as sombre shadows flee 
The coming of a hot, oppressive dawn. 
The stately princess turned in weariness, 
And passing slowly down the naiTow stairs. 
In gloom along the winding corridors, 
Where deep and dread echoing noises rent 
The dismal loneliness, at length she reached 
A door in wide and gothic arch, which gave 
Before the touch of snowy, gleaming hand. 
In silence, dark as death's grim charnal hall, 
Appeared the chapel, solemn in the gloom 
And beauty of its carA'en wood and stone. 
In the eastern wall, outlined by early glow 

10 



IVAN 

Of morning's purple beam, a saintly form 

Within the glowing panes of window stood, 

As if to bless a suppliant below. 

Her robe was pale and long, as dusky blue 

Of river far beneath, and on her brow 

Discerned but faintly in the feeble light, 

A crown of changing sapphires seemed to shine. 

Upon the hall in holy tenderness 

She seemed to smile from Heaven to the earth ; 

The one faint form of light in all the gloom 

Of chapel's high and dreadful, silent walls. 

Awhile the aged princess stood in woe 

And fear of unseen ill, that hovering near 

Assayed her noble heart to terrify, 

Then courage gaining to advance she came 

Along the ancient and deserted aisle 

Until, as white and mournful spectre, loomed 

The marble altar high and cold against 

A stately high and dark echoing wall. 

Beneath the window ever glowing bright. 

" Unanswering, pale and solemn altar, white, 

That with thy gloom appalls my heart in woe, 

Thou art a tomb which buries all my joy. 

Where is the golden lamp that o'er thee hung 

In former years, that lit to joy within 

The weary hearts who came to honor thee? 

Now empty thou of all that consolation; 

Wide is flung the tabernacle door. 

The vandal hands have desecrated thee, 

And gone the holy lights that on thee burned. 

So is my life bereft of all its joy, 

So, empty is my heart of all its peace, 

11 



IVAN 

Oppressed by rending bitterness and woe." 
Religion seeks in vain for Purity 
Within the darkened halls of Unbelief. 

"0 God, what crime have I commit to bring 
Down on my wintry head the punishment 
Of death while yet the blood is flowing on 
Within the silent veins. Thou King above 
The earth whom ever I have sought to serve, 
Why sendest thou such torture of the mind 
And vague forebodings of ascending ill? 
Where is my child, my gloi'ious one, Ivan? 
Speak to me, that my heart may be at rest. 
From childhood's early day until this time 
never have I seen such bitter woe ! 
Reveal to me what service can regain 
Thy loving favor and the reign of peace 
Within my heart. This grief I cannot bear! 
If thou art merciful, God, defend 
Me now from sudden, unprovided death. 
From sombre and unfathomed mystic tide 
Of changing river flowing wide below! 
With closed and burning eyes behold the flood. 
The cool and sullen waters in the gloom 
Inviting me unto a place of rest ! 
If thou canst save me now, reach a hand ! 
Thy power now I challenge — fail me not ! 

Thou pale, cold Virgin, dost thou dare to mock 
Me now when lies my weary life a wreck 
Beneath thy hand! Thy form increases all 
My bitterness, reminding me of days 
In childhood, and the perfect love for thee. 

12 



IVAN 

Thou art a mother, all my woeful heart 
Thou knowest, and didst suffer for thy Son 
A martyr's woeful death. If then thy grief 
Was any more than mine, assist me now, 
And I will strive again to honor thee. 
But see how biightly down the morning light 
Increases o 'er the night ! My gTacious Lord, 
Thy will I seem to know within the flood 
That lights Thy mother's face above my gloom. 
Thou wondrous Lady, solemnly I implore 
Forgive the feeble scorn I offered thee. 
'Twas but the madness of a grieving heart, 
A tortured mind that wandered in the night. 
Thy snowy arms extended bid me hope 
For aid, and welcome me to morning light 
Above the gloom of earven altar white. 
Thy sweet and smiling face assures me now 
That all is well with those who honor thee." 



13 



II 



Deep in the earth below its cover thin, 

The frozen crust discolored by the line 

Of changing vapors round its throbbing rim; 

Beneath the dwelling place of man who crawls 

A puny ant within an atmosphere 

Of night compared to that of universe; 

Within its deepest heart where raging leap 

The dark volcanic fires in anger red 

And wild, awaiting but the appointed hour 

Of earth's destruction swift, in whirlwinds high 

To leap in might from prison depths below, 

To envelop in its furious rage the earth. 

With sinuous flame the deep unfathomed sea, 

Destro3dng all the fortresses of man; 

There is the citadel of Satan's might, 

Which built upon a scarlet flood of fire 

In terror floats within a circling dome, 

A place of woe designed by cruel hand 

Of demon in his spite to torture man 

Who dares to fall within his service dread, 

An inquisition dai'k and terrible. 

An everlasting pit of punishment. 

Upon a throne as black and horrible 

As night of deep volcanic pit below. 

The sharp and jagged walls of which ascend 

In smouldering red and lava's seething flood, 

14 



IVAN 

Where all was full of loneliness and fear 

And silence shrieked below the ear of man; 

In anger furious and disregard 

Of writhing form of mortal far below, 

Amidst a hissing swarm of serpents dread, 

Appeared the form of Tophet's ruler, high 

Enthroned upon the gloom of ebon rock, 

Which by the hand of demon furious rent 

Until it seemed a black and hopeless ruin 

Cast upon a raging sea of flame, 

Was shapeless and deformed as broken stone 

Rejected heaped beside a broken wall 

Of wild deserted realm afar and lone 

Where ghastly roam the shrieking ghouls of night 

Bewailing in their hideousness the gloom 

And terror of that strange deserted place. 

There, veiled in cloud of red ascending flame. 
The form of Hell's appalling ruler sate 
In scarlet majesty, unclothed in might 
Of endless death; a serpent coiled to spring. 
With sharp metallic cry and scornful head. 
Upon its charmed prey, with venomed tooth 
Exposed to view and sparkling eyes that gleamed 
In deep enthralling spell of glittering hate, 
Envenomed woe, and fume of poisonous fang 
Which sinks so oft within the human heart. 
The spell of demon wrath was like a cloud 
Of dreadful joain and strife imprisoned in 
The circling dome, escaping to the earth. 
He frowned as monarchs frown who darkly see 
Their dread commands by vassals disobeyed. 
And raved as demons rave against the might 

15 



IVAN 

That keeps them bound to wailing earth and Hell, 
And writhed as serpents writhe in mortal pain 
When crushed beneath the scornful heel of man. 

At length a deafening roar which shook the throne 
Announced a visitor at the iron door 
Which opened in the side of crater dim 
And rose in gloom above the ascending flame. 
The frown on Satan's scarlet face had fled 
And left a deep sarcastic smile which grew 
In bitter hate, as slowly he arose, 
Extending evil form as genii high 
Until above the door his scarlet head 
As scorpion appeared in fiery glow 
Of dread malignity. With awful crash 
The gate was opened wide, emitting flame 
That rushing to escape .from out the pit 
Bore hissing serpents on its lurid train; 
But swift upon the fire recoiling then 
The gate was shut with crash more fearful than 
The first which rent the boiling depths below, 
And by the dread and mighty ruler stood 
His greatest vassal, mighty prince of Hell, 
The black and scowling, hideous Baalzebub. 

''Thou dark unfaithful knave, thou cursed one, 
Thou disobedient, black, rebellious slave, 
Thou hideous — thou traitor to my cause ! 
Ungrateful wretch whom I have settled o'er 
The human horde of Northmen rude and wild, 
Deceitful Woden thou to make thyself 
A god above thy master's regal head; 
To cause unseeing man to bow before 

16 



IVAN 

Thy hideous form and worship thee as god. 
Usurped prerogative was not thy crime. 
I pardoned that; but now thine arrogance, 
Malicious knave, is more than I can bear. 
Why tarried tliou when lord of mighty Hell, 
The maker of its pit, the dungeons red. 
Commanded yesterday thy presence here? 
Thou dilatory wretch, upon thy knees 
Bow down and worship me ! Why hesitate ? 
Perform the rite mine anger to appease. 
Or thou shalt rue thy disobedience 
This woeful day in fiery pit of Hell." 

"Ho! ho!" in bitter scorn laughed Baalzebub, 
In tones that rang as hoarse as thunder's crash 
And angry as the lightning's vivid flash 
Against a dark terrific sky of night. 
The sharp and glistening teeth protruded from 
His ebon lips, whereon the crimson stain 
Of human blood was seen. "Thy fury cease. 
Thy rage at my forbidden stay shall turn 
To glee, for soon the walls of deepest Hell 
Shall ring with tortured cry of mortal soul. ' ' 
His voice was like the roar of mighty storm 
Which strikes in furious might upon the shore, 
When slowly from his flaming heart he drew 
In scornful wrath a hundred writhing souls 
Of northmen done to death in bloody war 
Upon the earth, and held them shrieking o'er 
The brink of cauldron bottomless and red 
And awful in its strange terrific gloom, 
With clouds of suffocating vapors wild 
And fragTaents of a broken mineral 

17 



IVAN 

Revolving at the source of gravity 

Which cruelly rent the inmates whirling there. 

"Bravely hast thou fought," he raved in storm 

Above the wailing ones who scorching hung 

In fear upon his black, gigantic hand, 

While Satan sat and smiled in scarlet glee. 

In irony, upon his mighty throne. 

''Well fought the battle, and the victory 

Thy comrades celebrate in drunkenness. 

Now doth the hated Emperor bereave 

The death of those whom thou didst justly slay; 

He weeps for thee beyond his mighty arm 

That stretcheth down to gate of Hell, secure 

Against his solemn might. Why dost thou shriek 

So wildly, as in fear of his defeat? 

On earth thou wouldst have laughed in scornful glee 

When told of such a victory 'gainst his throne; 

But traitorous slaves to his great majesty 

Thou art, and traitors doubtless to the reign 

Of him who sits before thy glazing eyes. 

Thou art but dogs, to his allegiance 

Unfaithful as the light; and for thy fear 

I cast thee cursed down into the pit 

Of death to lie and burn f orevermore. " 

He shook from scornful hand the souls of those, 

Misguided by his mind upon the earth. 

Who fell into an awful pit, amid 

Its wailing throng of unseen sufferers, 

And gloated in derision o'er their pain. 

From out the fiery den came frightful cry 

Of endless woe and lamentation deep 

18 



IVAN 

As raging- storm at sea: "0 Lord, by thee 
Forsaken, in the depths of Hell we cry, 
'Help! Help!' The arrows pierce the soul, 
The hungry fiame the blood drinks up, the gleam 
Of angry serpents hideous have changed 
The heart to stone, and scorpions writhe about 
The tortured form of soul; the blackest night 
The eyes have wrapped in dread temflc gloom ; 
But shriek is heard and moan of those who cry 
In vain to Thee ; the very life is but 
A hungry flame consuming with remorse 
And endless bitterness the tortured mind 
For those transgressions red upon the earth. 
Thou canst not aid us now; upon the soul 
The gates of Hell forever closed — Too late 
We cry unto Thy majesty on high." 

''Shut down that door!" then Satan cried in storm. 

In anger red, ''It is the endless cry 

To Him who mighty rules on high, that proud, 

Majestic One, whose glory I detest. 

Pour out the oil on those who shriek to Him. 

I'll teach the fools that I am master here. 

What tidings bringest thou, Baalzebub, 

Of those who strive against the Emperor? 

How goes the battle now? Is there a chance 

To win by means of thy rude worshippers? 

If not, the Turk I'll lead with subtle arm 

Against His throne omnipotent, and drive 

Him off the earth, which doth belong to me; 

The jealous God who rules the universe. 

Who will not leave to me the souls of men, 

I'll drive in terror from His chosen sea:t; 

19 



IVAN 

Ah yet I'll rise and throw Him from the throne 

And rule in power all, committing Him 

To a place ten thousand times as hideous 

And black as this. How goes the deadly strife, 

Religious war upon the northern earth? 

Shall victory perch upon the standard there?" 

With ringing clash the iron door of pit 
Was closed by dark and evil Baalzebub, 
Who stood a mighty weight upon the lid. 
And with a smile of fiendish glee inclined 
A wolfish ear of cunning hate toward 
His master's throne in fiery prominence. 
With grimace bold and bloated bloody eye 
He gazed about as though in secret fear 
Of unseen listener, then coarsely deep, 
A cloven hoof upon the iron door, 
In loud and diabolic tones replied : 
''Since to this dungeon deep I brought the soul 
Of him who was their Leader, dark and bold, 
They have arisen mighty, listening now 
In eagerness to words of deepest hate, 
Which pour into the base and willing ear 
By ministers of thine. So far is won 
The victory, and even though thou rage, 
I am a worshipped god; and hanging on 
Their evil minds in dark descending cloud, 
Their stubborn intellects have chosen me 
A god, as in primeval days of old 
They prayed to thee as Woden strong and high, 
So now they adore me in a similar form. 

But dark the strife doth rage, for even though 
I hang upon the very breathing soul, 

20 



IVAN 

There's some who will not honor mei, but cling 
In stubbornness to thy Great Enemy. 
They fight with bloody hand and fall to death. 
The realm is but a place of flowing blood; 
And angels of the light, accursed host, 
'erhang the frenzied step and strive to stay 
The wrathful hand with foolish words of love. 
Could I but cast them howling down into 
The seething pit, the victory would be mine. 
There is a nobleman who used to dwell 
At Oelmar, and whose mother honors me, 
A lady proud, whom I shall laugh to see 
Go shrieking down into this dungeon deep; 
Shall laugh to see her meet her honored lord 
Who sereameth here. She followed him on earth 
And left the halls of Him who scorneth thee; 
Within the Leader's mighty step she comes, 
And to this place shall follow him, to Hell. 
The victory's mine if I could gain the son; 
He has the arms and vassals of his Lord." 

In fury Satan rose from off his throne. 
' ' HO ! Slaves ! my armor bring. Too long 
Have I in desuetude remained here. 
Put on each deadly scale and bind it firm 
With skillful hand. I must not tarry now 
When such a prize appeareth on the earth. 
Give me a dart, a sheath of arrows sharp 
And poisoned in the blood of serpents red. 
The battle I must lead. Sweet Baalzebub, 
Go hang upon the son as mantle Avrapped 
About his proud and scornful countenance, 
And thou shalt drag him slowly down to death 

21 



IVAN 

With cunning thought of hate, with every wile, 
Until his heart shall change to blackest night; 
Until his soul be changed to hate what thou 
Dost hate, and love what thou shalt have him to. 
mighty Baalzebub, what if they call 
Thee god, it better pleases me, for thus 
His scorn my diadem shall crush. Lead on. 
And thou shalt see how Satan tempteth man ! 
The mighty Emperor shall fall, the throne, 
His cursed seat upon the earth, shall in 
Destruction fall, and crumbling into dust, 
To fiery dust, shall evermore be lost ! ' ' 



22 



Ill 



In flowing robe of black which braided fell 
Unto the earth o'er subtly hidden form, 
In priestly robe as that of olden days 
Worn by the great high priest of Israel, 
With mitre high and black o'er hidden face 
A giant figure stood by the winding road 
On brink of precipice, on mountain side, 
As though to challenge any traveler 
Who might in weary pilgrimage ascend. 
Afar against the sky of summer blue. 
Which hung in radiant beauty o'er the earth. 
O'er valleys green and winding river far 
Where castles gleamed beside its sparkling flow. 
The clouds of ebon hue, as though in train, 
Were moving slowly to the mountain high; 
Increasing as they came in solemn might. 
Outlined against them stood in majesty 
On wild and rugged height the appalling form. 
Which seemed a stately god who would command 
The earth, in terror o'er its circling globe, 
The weird and pagan god of northmen rude 
And bold, the Woden, god of those who mock 
The God of Love was standing in the way. 

About his face and tall heroic form 

So close the dread and priestly mantle fell 

In fold of blackest hue, so solemnly 

23 



IV ATT 

He stood in bold relief and rugged might 

Against the clouds that rolled across the sky 

In silhouette, that to a heedless one, 

A pilgrim of the earth ascending slow 

The steep and narrow path, his grandeur bold, 

His giant form and solemn prominence, 

His all compelling air of majesty 

Would deep and prostrate reverence impel, 

Would fill the worshipper with mortal fear 

Of that Great King who rules the universe; 

But not so swift the wise before his form 

Would fall, adoring god, for gazing close 

Upon his weird appalling might, no ray 

Of light would gleam from his descending robe; 

No loving face would shine, as in a dream 

The Lord of Heaven smiles upon His own. 

Assurance giving sweet, that all is well. 

When fleeting life is o'er His face will shine 

With love on them in mansions glowing bright. 

Instead, but darkly seen, a cunning hand 
Clutched secretly the robe in sombre fold 
As though it illy fit. From covered face 
Shone forth an eye, transfixing with its ray. 
As serpent charmeth unsuspecting one 
Who tarries in the way its form to view. 
Destroying with its spell the human heart. 
Enveloping the soul in black despair, 
And swiftly drawing it, ensnared, at length 
With frightful cry o'er dread and slippery brink 
Of yawning precipice, to fall 
In screaming pain down to an endless death 
In fiery depths below, to pit of Hell. 

24 



IVAN 

So, quite invisible to mortal eye 
Of him who heedless goes the way of life, 
But not to mortal heart attuned to love, 
As ravenous wolf in sacred robe of lamb, 
In black hypocrisy and burning hate, 
Stood Baalzebub beside the way attired 
As pagan god, and waiting for his prey. 

The sound of horn upon the mountain air 

Was heard afar, as though to challenge earth 

In battle for the right, engage in war, 

In might of armored man to overcome, 

To struggle and to win, or in defeat 

To bravely stand and die a soldier's death; 

And o'er the crest of mountain's higher path 

A nobleman arrayed in armor dark 

As cloud of night, on helmet crest a plume 

Of blackest waving hue, in majesty 

Of scornful youth, of deep unchanging gloom. 

On dark Arabian steed, in solemn pride 

Descending rode. Another youthful knight 

In softer raiment clad, upon whose shield 

Of deepest olive green a golden cross 

Was seen to gleam within the early sun. 

Accompanied the first before his train. 

No sign of holy cross was on the shield 

Of him in sable hue, no emblem bright 

The dangerous spell of evil one to stay 

From throbbing heart or lips of scarlet hue, 

From soul to ward the instrument of death ; 

No sign to show him faithful to his God. 

In confidence that he could never fall 
Beneath the hand of ill, but in his own 

25 



IVAN 

Conceited might could conquer every foe 
And drive in trembling fear opponents dark 
Upon a vanquished field unto the death, 
The lord of Oelmar came from kingdoms far 
Within the East, with long and vassal train 
Of armored soldiers, riches plenteous. 
In mighty pomp returning from the war. 
By sombre path which led o'er moiintain high, 
Through forest dread, and green familiar plain 
Below, to distant Oelmar dark which lay 
In gloom beside a winding river deep. 
He spoke no word to him who silent rode 
In gTeen array to cheer his frowning gloom, 
For deep within his mind a hidden storm 
Of doubt and fear and growing unbelief 
In tempest broke, a dark and raging sea. 
Engulfing in its woe a tortured heart. 
As waves of ocean roll in terror high 
Above the sail of struggling ship, which caught 
Within its seething flood is shattered down. 

Unconsciously to him who hurried down 
The narrow, steep, and demon haunted way, 
Baalzebub stepped forth, revealing arm 
As hideous, black as stormy sky of night; 
His evil face in dread malignity 
Shone darkly forth, and on his wrinkled brow 
Was writ the frightful sign of those who drag 
The soul to death, to endless pit of Hell. 
Advancing at a turn on mountain side, 
In narrow way above the precipice 
In gloom below, the dark Arabian steed 
Sprang swiftly in his terror back, then leaped 

26 



IVAN 

To the very brink of j^awning chasm wide 
And deep, in Avild and frantic fear, and stood 
As though transfixed by some inhuman spell. 
His quivering nostrils wide and flecked with foam 
Displayed his dark enthralling fear; his feet 
Refused to move from station dangerous, 
Although his master gently coaxed and strove 
With foreign words his terror to abate. 

At length the angTy knight dismounted slow, 
And his descending train of followers 
With difficulty stood and gazed in fear 
Upon the scene, for steep the imminence 
Of mountain rose above, and sheer below 
The black and j-awning pit of terror lay, 
A pathway leaving on the winding ledge 
So narrow one could scarcely ride upon it. 
About the turn and down the broadening path 
In caution gazed the knight; observed no cause 
For fear of quivering steed. He did not feel 
The arm invisible and black which wrapped 
Its circling fold about his armor's might. 
He did not see the cloud of demon robe 
Which fell invisible about his form. 
Which caught within its deep and circling net 
The mind, the throbbing heart, the very soul. 
His faithful steed gave warning, hopeless shriek, 
Then darted down the mountain path to him. 
And stood again as though in warning wild 
Portrayed with terror in his beauteous eyes. 

With curses loud the knight remounted then 
His trembling steed, and rode with cruel spur 

27 



IVAN 

Against his sable side, as though possessed, 

In storm of wild and reckless energy; 

And speeding swiftly down the dangerous path 

His form was lost to view by those who stood 

And gazed astonished on the empty scene. 

They hurried on, to find their master dead 

Perchance, within the rough and stony way. 

Or lying far below in canyon deep. 

His body lifeless, of the soul bereft. 

Meanwhile, as wildly on he dashed, his head 

By dread incessant doubt and pain was bent; 

At every step on dangerous, rocky way 

It seemed his horse would plunge to death beneath; 

His heart was like a weight of lead, his soul 

At every desperate leap with raging thought 

Of fear was filled, by death and murder rent. 

The demon had his will; Baalzebub 

Had won the noblest heart in Oelmar's realm. 

His was the battle now that soul to keep 

With angels of the light, whose cause it is 

To strive the noble heart of man to turn 

From evil way and bring its worship to 

The halls of peace and love and purity. 



28 



IV 



Descending from above a forest road 
Appeared in cool sequestered vale of green, 
O'ershaded by the great and ancient trees, 
In peaceful manner winding calm and white. 
An oak, as a sentinel, protecting bent 
To form a shelter for the pilgrims who 
Wandering down the mountain way could pause, 
Secure from scorching sun's midsummer gleam, 
To rest awhile and watch the dancing leaves 
'erhead, the sunbeams sifting gently through ; 
But dark the olive green of grasses tall, 
The thick and struggling undergrowth, the vine, 
Within recesses where the morning sun 
Had failed to penetrate, the borrowed gloom 
Of vanished night retained persistently, 
Refused to cast it off, although the rays 
Of gleaming sun on sheltering screen o 'erhead 
Descended bright, as though to closer search 
The thickets and the marsh; where flitting birds 
Poured forth a brilliant repertoire of song, 
And other creatures of the wood appeared 
In drowsy search of daily sustenance. 

The minor strain of locust filled the air, 
Which stirred but softly in oppressive heat, 
And golden-winged butterflies had lit 
In dazzling playfulness within the way 
And restless danced upon the pebbles brown, 
29 



IVAN 

As far as penetrating eye could reach 
The road came down in circling line 
Upon the tranquil mountain high 
Which rose majestic to its snowy peak 
Where dark the clouds in mystery appeared. 
Beyond the oak it darkly seemed to cease 
At a pleasant turn, as flowing waters sink 
Mysterious and abruptly in the earth, 
And leave the anxious eye to search in vain 
For the evidence of river flowing on. 
Profusely scattered o'er the shady path 
In gracefulness and light the flowers lay 
Which fell from drooping tree beside the way 
In snowy white, and added to the scene, 
Secluded, all the radiance of bloom. 
The calm and cool midsummer peace of morn. 

Two holy men came down the mountain way 

And paused beneath the ancient, gnarled oak, 

Whose branches made a canopy o'er the head 

Of gloom mysterious in the forest wild. 

One plucked a flower, breathing tenderly 

In love upon its delicate and fragrant form. 

Examining with care its beauty pale. 

The brittle leaf, the petal intricate. 

His holy face was white and spiritual 

Above a robe of black descending down 

In solemn, sacred fold to quiet green; 

His hands were stainless as the snowy peak 

That loomed afar against the summer sky, 

And shone above his robe of sombre hue 

As chaste as fragile flower resting there; 

The hope of youth within his gentle eyes, 

30 



IVAN 

Resembling azure blue above his head, 
The mystical delight with every fair 
And holy thing of earth in beauty seemed 
Enthroned, as that celestial light Avhieh rules 
The circling earth, the sun, the moon, the stars. 

The other darkly stood, the embodiment 

Of that unanswering "woe in quietude 

Which reigns at glowing noon within the wild 

And melancholy haunt unfrequented 

By heedless step of man. His solemn form 

Was circling bent with age, as mighty tree 

Leaned proudly down above the adjacent wood 

In condescension deep; within his dark 

And solemn eyes appeared a holy gleam. 

The weird, the strange mysterious light of priest. 

In weariness against the aged oak 

He leaned to rest, and gazed about the path 

Which turned in sudden manner down, below 

The base of emerald knoll which hid to view 

The scene obscure from flower bordered way. 

Awhile he stood in silence, filled with peace, 

Which seemed to rest upon his solemn form 

As fragTant roses on an early tomb; 

Then spoke in earnest voice, as solemn, deep, 

Melodious and strange as pealing bell: 

"As down the wildwood path unthoughtful go 
The pilgrims to the base of yonder knoll. 
Which looms so suddenly in the shaded light. 
Obscuring way that windeth ever on 
In downward path with termination final 
Where fiows the river deep in sullen tide 

31 



IVAN 

Into the wide and boundless sea, so youth 

In thoughtlessness adown the way of life 

Heeds not the beauty of its present way, 

But rushes on from now to future's screen, 

In eagerness to find the changing path; 

By weariness o'erwhelmed and sorrows strange 

He comes at length to places desolate 

And bare as that of field deserted in 

The vale beneath. So doth the wicked go 

To dread eternal death, pursuing vain 

The phantom-like and worldly joys of youth 

Which flit enticingly before the feet 

As golden butterflies within the sun 

In restless beauty quiver in the way. 

To vanish suddenly before the hand 

Below the shadows of the gloomy hill. 

"Life is an enigma from its early morn, 

When from the unknown comes a deathless soul 

Into the maze of earth, from out the dread 

The hidden mystery of the endless night. 

Then memory wakens in the intellect 

And bravely wars throughout its fleeting years 

To overcome the intangible that strives 

To wrest from it the glorious crown of life. 

A mortal soul is but the battleground 

Of forces good with those of Baalzebub; 

And if they overcome a gift awaits 

It, priceless, in the halls of Paradise, 

But if they fail, tlie trembling span of life 

Is snapped, in woeful darkness ends; the night 

In fear comes down, as dark and terribly 

As thunder clouds in raging fury dash 

32 



IVAN 

Their torrents down upon the close of day 
Within the wild and stony Alps, amid 
A frightful roar of thunder and the gleam 
Of lightning vivid on the angry sky." 

Cajetan's words the other quietly heard, 
Attentively, with deferential mien; 
Then lifting all-compelling eyes of blue 
To thick o'ershaded bough and dancing leaves 
He answered, sweetly as the southern wind 
Entrancing murmurs through a clarion reed: 
"My holy brother, all thy words are true, 
In wisdom spoken, with the light of age. 
We cannot penetrate the mystic veil 
Which hangs before the tabernacle high 
Of God, in love to those who do His will. 
And separate themselves from bonds of night. 
He is the radiant sun, who faultless guides 
His faithful followers, and lights them on 
Forever in the path of endless life. 
His love is brighter than the noonday sun, 
And drinks the adoration of the just 
As thirsty ray descends from out the sky 
In beauty golden to the changing tide 
Of mighty river flowing to the sea. 

"Let us not grieve o'er those gone down to death, 
But strive with all our might to save the ones 
Who now in stubborn blindness rushing on 
The way of life, shall come to river deep 
And terrible destruction in the night; 
For God is Love to those who hear His voice 
And do His will, but those who disobey 

33 



IVAN 

His just command, an all-destroying wrath 
Draws down upon their disobedient heads. 
Then let us work to change the wilful heart. 
Misguided souls of those who struggle here, 
Endeavoring now to bring them in the fold 
While yet the sun in radiance streameth down 
Alike upon the just and those who leave 
The only fold of Love. We must not wait 
Until the golden day descending lies. 
And shadows creep in darkness from the east. 
Too late the word of hope is spoken then 
To mortal in despair; too late doth love 
With melting tears besiege the hardened heart. 
At mom's the most propitious time to guide 
The human soul into the paths of peace, 
Of love, and bounden duty to its God. 

"As yonder form of knight within the sunlight 
Riding down the mountain far away. 
So hastily, with long and quivering train 
Of sable followers, so death comes down 
The changing path of life, o'ertaking those 
Who stand in idleness beside the way. 
Then come with me at once, for in my heart 
A terror of that form above impels 
The more the eager voice and hands to win 
With words of love the ones who darkly dwell 
Below within the brown and scorching vale; 
Who bound with error's burning chain that grinds 
The spell of death into their weary souls. 
If from the hands of one the iron links 
Are severed with my glowing words of love, 
My life will flow more peacefully, the mind 

34 



IVAN 

Will more contented be. What matter if 
The lord of Oelmar comes, and finding all 
His vassals in the vale of Altenstein, 
Strikes with a dark avenging sword and slays 
The unresisting form. He did not give 
The life, and has dominion only o'er 
The poor and hardened fonn material, 
Which bent with labor to him gives the due 
Of common toil — the soul belongs to God." 

With hastening steps and hearts that beat 

In premonition of an evil near 

The holy men the cool o'ershaded way 

Came down amid the flowers; turning swift 

About the hill in gloom beside the path. 

Saw lying still below in summer heat 

Of noonday sun, a village, squalid, poor, 

As haunts of vice by evil men upraised 

To gain domain insidious o'er the mind 

Of youth, and wrest from it with wicked hand 

The recompense, the hard earned fee of life. 

The village lay within a scorching vale 

Forlorn, of strange deserted fields, o'ergrown 

By grasses tall and thick and yellow vine, 

And plants that struggled for a life therein. 

Few fields were tilled and they were nearly choked 

With noxious weed that could no higher grow. 

How desolate the fields of those who war, 

And piteous the homes of those who slay 

The messengers of God, who banish from 

Malicious hearts the rule of peace, and strive 

To force the reign of reason from tlie mind. 

35 



IVAN 

The travelers hastened down the sloping way, 

And came at length in open, narrow lane 

To a mean and lowly hnt which stood upon 

The outskirts of the village poor. Two dark. 

Ferocious dogs enchained beside the gate, 

Which hung upon a post decaying, black, 

Barked savagely, but strove in vain to loose 

Their heavy chains. An evil-visaged form 

Came darkly forth and gazed in curious scorn 

Upon the visitors. Disorderly 

Her tattered garments hung from sloven form; 

Her eyes were sharp and cold as steel, and from 

Their evil depths there shone a prejudice 

In bitterness against the holy men. 

Her claw-like hands clutched savagely the door, 

Decaying, black, and seemed to darkly hold. 

As evil spirits to the gates of Hell. 

Her hair, disheveled, hung in tangles wild 

Above a hooked nose that scarlet bent 

To evil mouth, wherein a yellow fang 

Disgustingly appeared, and eager seemed 

In readiness to strike the travelers. 

She stood but briefly gazing on the men, 
But turned and shrieking fled adown the street 
With cry arousing many villagers, 
With words of fear proclaiming the advent 
Of hated priest ; in frenzy cursing loud, 
Accusing them of insult offered her. 
Soon came a mob of howling peasantry 
Composed of men too feeble for the war, 
Who bore in sling the arm, or crutch employed, 
Who hobbling painfully along the street, 

36 



IVAN 

In frenzy shouted and derision deep; 
Of slattern crying to the savage dogs 
Which ran as though in chase of animal; 
Of children pale and evil-faced who screamed 
In cruel glee at thought of punishment. 
With them returning foremost came the witch, 
Who wildly shrieked and clamored for the blood 
Of holy men, who stood beneath an oak 
That gnarled rose and blasted in the street, 
Whose broken top appeared a mocking hand 
That pointed with a deep and shattered scorn 
In black malignity unto the skies. 

They surged around the two as demons rage 

In Hell about the souls of those condemned 

To everlasting death, but touched them not; 

For with uplifted hands they seemed to hold 

In check the savage fury of the mob. 

"Stone them to death!" the sloven shrieking cried 

In frenzy loud. ''They are the foes of god, 

Who preach allegiance to the Emperor, 

Whom they adore, instead of him we serve; 

The representatives of scarlet one 

Who sits upon the seven bloody hills 

And rules with mighty hand's oppression deep! 

Death, to his traitorous slaves who dare to come 

Within the streets of this our city fair! 

They are but idol-worshippers who strive 

To chain the mind with those unholy hands. 

In superstition dread; the glorious will. 

Protesting, by its mighty ruler freed. 

Again they seek to nail in ignorance 

The very soul to that unfathomed rock 

Of torture, and the inquisition dread. 

37 



IVAN 



"Why hesitate to burn them at the stake? 
Would they not be a sacrifice to god 
Who angry now beholds their impudence? 
Enchain them to the oak and I will light 
The purging fires that burn from wicked hearts 
The mark of devil's hoofs. Let them be made 
Unholy martyrs to their cruel faith. 
Their vile perversion of the gospel deep 
Beneath the falsely Avritten document 
Deludes the mind of man. The just shall live 
By faith! marvelous word of Leader bold 
The wicked might to brave, the Emperor 
To dare. He bravely hoped before the earth 
Was rent in its destruction imminent 
To lead an army's overwhelming might 
Unto his very seat, dethroning that 
Presumptuous Anti-Christ who scarlet sits 
In dread abomination on his throne. 
Appalling horrors in that city seen 
Were told by Leader, foolish, when he went 
As penitent to climb the marble stair 
Of Pilate's house. legend falsified! 

''The just shall live by faith alone! Why labor 
Then or pray for that already won! 
Eternal life is offered free to those 
Who say the simple words of 'I believe.' 
What need to fast in rigid penitence ? 
Why should we mortify the body here? 
Thy doctrine's false as quicksand by a sea 
Of night, as quagmire's all-consuming bog! 
With flaming fire and sword it shall be swept 

38 



IVAN 

Away, as burning chaff upon a wild 

And hot midsummer night ! cursed be 

The all-compelling mystery of that 

Assumed by thee! "With Satan's scarlet might 

The peasantry are awed; the grinding chain 

Of superstition has but lately broken; 

Still they cling to deepest error taught 

By priest ! But soon thy institution red 

And horrible shall in the seething flame 

Be wiped from off the earth, and Freedom's voice 

Shall sound again the trumpet call of Peace." 

Her sharp, fanatic eyes in frenzy gleamed 

As with her shrieking wild, in fury loud 

She urged the mob, now timid at approach 

To priestly ones who stood majestically, 

To drag them down to red, inglorious death. 

Young Ferdinand stretched forth a hand to soothe 

The venomed hatred stirring in the mob, 

And as the tumult partly ceased he spoke 

In deepest love, his voice echoing sweet : 

"My friends, thy rage is like tempestuous sea 

Which surges round Gibraltar's mighty rock 

And madly strives in fury vain to dash 

The slightest pebble from its fortresses 

Secure. The Emperor who's denied by thee 

Is founded on a rock, from which the one 

"Who from the gates of Hell issues in wrath 

Shall never loosen him, or 'gainst his might 

Prevail. He is the representative 

Of God, and reason should enlighten thee 

That all His enemies are in a league 

In vain, to throw him from that mighty seat. 

39 



IVAN 

"Why rage against the Emperor? Suppose 

That he is vile, as thou dost falsely say — 

Did Jesus ever rage against the King, 

Or strive to overthrow his lawful reign? 

Instead, He gave His life, resisting not, 

To torture dread, to death upon the cross. 

The worst devised by any demon's mind. 

He had more cause to hate than ever man 

Had cause; when stripped of all His garments white 

And bruised and scourged against the pillar by 

The mad and puny hand of man; when crowned 

By piercing thorn and weighed by heavy cross 

In bleeding weariness He fell to earth; 

His beauteous feet and hands which ever gave 

But love and mercy to afflicted man 

By nails were pinioned to the wood, and thus, 

Above the earth, a stainless sacrifice, 

And mocked by hatred in the voice of man. 

The only Son of God, His priceless gift 

Was given back in man's ingratitude. 

"What did He say when thus upon the earth 
He gazed? What could He, broken, say 
To those barbarians? What would your lips 
Have said ? What would your tortured soul have felt 
If you had suffering hung upon the tree? 
'Forgive them, for they know not what they do.' 
'Twas thus He spoke, while they in fury raged 
And mocked His dreadful agony. Were they 
His followers? The most untutored child 
To this could make reply. Are you within 
His sacred fold, and stand resisting not 
His frenzied murderers? If so, beware 

40 



IVAN 

Of hatred for thy fellow man, and strive 
With love to gain the victory over death. 
Did ever Christian worthy of the name 
Let glowing fires of hatred in the heart 
Increase, and not a struggle make to stay 
Their blasting might; nor strive to imitate 
His Master's holy life? Apply the test 
And see if thou dost follow Him, or that 
Plutonic horde of traitorous Baalzebub. 

"Why dost thou say the just shall live by faith 

Alone ? No need to strive for what is won. 

Unnecessary', penance, and the faith 

Of man alone will gain the crown of life 1 

How cowardly? What base ingratitude 

Such blessing to accept and in return 

Give nothing to the Master's heart of love. 

What words were better said disproving such 

Than when His voice proclaimed that all should die 

Unless they penance did. I ask the proof 

Of man, and challenge any one who holds 

Such doctrine true, to follow in His steps. 

Which is the way to prove that thou art true 

To Him, whose every breath was suffering here. 

If thou dost read with earnest loving care. 

And not with hate, to prove some doctrine true 

Which never had a proof, except within 

An evil mind, thou 'It find the way of life 

Is one of penance from the earliest hour 

Until the shadows of the night come down 

To veil the further Avay from mortal sight. 

"Wouldst thou make God untrue? Impossible! 
And say the Emperor is guided by 

41 



IVAN 

Tlie dull and puny mind of man. instead 
Of Him who came as fire on Whitsuntide? 
If thy belief is true, then false is He; 
For where is now the institution bright 
Established on that far, mysterious day, 
Continually guided by his mighty hand, 
Except the one thou sayest is the throne 
Of devil in iniquity? Beware 
Of Satan wicked and his prophets false ! 
Whose subtleness remaineth now as calm 
And tranquil as the sea, which darkly hides 
With smiling face a world of hideous things; 
Who veils, incomprehensible, a woe 
As deep as ever human heart could feel. 
Your minds are dim as that of monarch proud 
Who followed with a murder in his heart 
The hosts of Israel, and darkly saw 
But in confusion dread a thunder-cloud, 
Which to the faithful ones was shining light. 
Protecting them from that pursuing foe. 

"So thoughtlessly, within mysterious power 
That institution holy in its light 
Seems but a thunder-cloud of darkest woe. 
Which rising in the night enshrouds in gloom, 
Destroying blight, the nations of the earth. 
In ignorance against it thou dost strive, 
To overthrow what cannot be destroyed. 
Deluded man, cease now that enmity 
Against the institution fair and bright 
Established by omnipotence of God 
And given in His love to imperfect man. 
If thou wouldst strive to gain eternal life, 

42 



IVAN 

Take up thy cross within its beauteous halls, 
Assay to follow Him in truth, and strive 
With all thy might Ilis love to recompense. 
Renouncing error, put His armor on; 
Give battle for the right, maintain the truth; 
And when the hour of death comes darkly down, 
No chilling fear or doubt shall thee oppress. 
But seraph hands shall bear thy peaceful soul 
Unto the God whom we have served, and who 
Shall on that day become our sweet reward." 

So Ferdinand delivered to the throng. 

Which stood on every side in attitude 

Unkind, in love his exhortation brief. 

Some, cursing, jeered his words, while others stood 

And heard attentively his argument. 

His face with glowing light shone spiritual 

And calm, and deep his solemn voice upraised 

Seemed music clear and sweet proceeding from 

A viol touched by some angelic hand. 

Cajetan darkly smiled in pleased accord 

When he had ceased, and laid approving hand 

Upon his head; then spoke with voice of might 

To wild accusing mob, and as he spoke 

A knight with sable steed came down the way 

And paused beside a shattered tree. Observed 

By few he stood in listening attitude, 

As night's appalling clouds in fury loom 

And hesitate; and darkly smiled on one 

Who rode in green attire, a youthful knight 

Who bore emblazoned on his glowing shield 

A cross of gold that lit his countenance. 



43 



IVAN 

"Woe! 

To them who proudly stand in places high 

And crush with mighty heel the innocent, 

The poor, whose iron hands uphold the rod, 

Blood-stained and grinding of adversity; 

Who bring the plague of want and famine down 

In frightful manner o'er the prosperous land; 

Who wring from hardened hands a tithe unjust 

To gorge the never-filled maw of wealth ! 

Woe ! to those who cry in unbelief and scorn 

Against Jehovah's might and endless reign, 

And in presumption dare deny the truth 

Of His revealed word, or criticise 

In scorn His institutions holy, fair. 

As though their egotistic minds were more 

Than whirling earth, the flaming sun, or pale 

And faded moon, or many countless stars 

Invisible which shine beyond the sky; 

As though the little world material 

About them seen was everything which sprang 

From trembling chaos out the gloom of night; 

Who with intent maliciously pervert 

The word of truth, interpretation false 

Propounding to the intellect of man. 

''As suddenly as tree which flourisheth. 
As green bay tree within the forest dark. 
By waters turbulent, shall wicked one 
By an avenging, mighty axe be cut 
In degradation down, to swiftly fall. 
Be cast into the flame, consumed in death. 
But those who love the Lord and do His will 
Obedient, in childlike faith adore 

44 



IVAN 

His glorious, sovereign omnipotence, 

How great shall be their recompense, how swift 

Their sweet reward, for all the woes of life 

Endured in bitterness and pain below. 

Forth from a bondage dread shall they be brought 

Into the promised land, to banquet there 

With God, in mansions beautiful and bright; 

In love and never changing innocence. 

Where sorrows terrible shall be no more, 

And partings dread, nor death, nor any pain. 

Strive then to gain that wondrous heritage, 

For all is dross beside its golden crown. 

' * Woe ! woe ! to them who bound by error 's chain 

Have given to the enemy the soul, 

Whose demon-guided minds deny the light. 

Which burning gave them sight to curse the God 

Who condescending bent, its leaping flame 

Transformed and placed it here to brighter grow 

And burn for Him forever in the night. 

The friendless and alone may comprehend 

In slight degree the base ingratitude 

Of undeserving man who curses Him. 

Woe ! to such as these ! Furies are in store 

More terrible than all-consuming flame 

In day of wrath. With brass shall they be broken, 

Cast aside to be renewed again 

In gentler mould, to be reflned in fire, 

As broken pottery with brass is beat 

And melted o'er, and by experienced hand 

Reshaped in vessels for the use of earth 

And ornaments within its temples fair. 



45 



IVAN 

''Flee from the wrath to come — Eternal death 

In coil, as hidden serpent, waits to spring 

Upon its lone and unsuspecting prey. 

Who warned by an involuntary sound 

Still stubbornly' persists in hastening on 

Into the very poisoned jaws of death! 

The tree which bringeth forth bad fruit is cut 

And cast into an all-consuming fire; 

Its substance then is changed to gaseous form 

Which mingies with the mysteries of air 

And takes perchance another form of life 

More hideous. What if the soul condemned 

To death takes on another form of life, 

Reincarnated, loses but the light 

Of memoiy; no greater punishment 

Than such eternal death would be to live 

Forever in the fiery pit of Hell : 

The joyous memories, the sadder ones 

No more to call to mind, a mother's face 

Or that of one adored, to recollect 

No more the happy days of childhood fleet, 

Or those of later years, to be engulfed 

In that forgetfulness, eternal, dread. 

What punishment more horrible to man? 

''Flee from the heresy of wicked men 
Enchained by error's strong and galling link, 
And flee the storm of Avar Avliich madly drives 
Within its wake. come with me to-day 
Returning to the fold, the ancient fold. 
The faith that stood in need a friend to those 
Who early suffered in the catacomb; 
The fold of God, the only one secure 

46 



IVAN 

From those attacks from out the gates of Hell. 
Beware of those who come as prophets false, 
And go about as wolves the innocent 
In ravenous manner to desti'oy ! Beware 
Of prophets false ! Why follow one who raved 
Of earth's approaching end, and madly sought 
The holy Emperor to dethrone? The world 
Yet moves in life from mighty throne above; 
The Vicar of his Lord yet rules the hearts 
Of men; but where is he who raging taught 
Such heresy? Where is thy Leader bold? 
The soul of him now cries in deepest Hell 
For cooling drop, as Dives did of old." 

'Twas thus Cajetan spoke to angry mob 
About him surging in the village street, 
So desolate in barren plain beneath 
The distant walls of Oelmar dark and high. 
'Twas thus the monk proclaimed the heresy 
Of those who heard his sermon loud and clear; 
And at its close the silent multitude 
Shrank back in fear, as though a sacrilege 
Before their very eyes had been commit. 
The darker knight from off his sable steed 
In fury sprang, within his eyes the flame 
Of hatred leaping wild and high. With sword 
He clove a way through angry villagers 
Unto the holy men. Then cry on cry 
Arose. In storm of wrath their fury broke, 
Unbound the chains of murder in the heart, 
And shriek of witch with hoarser curse of man 
In madness rent the air. The very earth 
By hate was shaken to its fiery deep 

47 



IVAN 

And seemed to cry aloud, with murderous hand 
Upheld for crimson blood of holy men. 

Two soldiers bound the unresisting forms 
Of those who had calmly stood in solemn robe, 
And through the cursing mob by halter led 
They marched behind the lord of Oelmar, who 
In frenzy raged: ''Beneath the very walls 
Of Oelmar these, the cursed followers 
Of him who sits upon the scarlet throne 
Have dared unto my vassals here to preach, 
Endeavoring now to change their noble faith 
In Leader bold, that great and holy man 
Who braved the world and stood in glory forth 
Proclaiming to the soul its freedom high 
Above the will of any man. They dare to stand 
And teach below my father's very tomb, 
Which shines above within the castle high. 
He fought and died for Leader and the right. 
Who strove to overthrow that mighty hand. 
To crush that scarlet one, the tyrant, down 
To degradation deep, and to a death 
More ignominious than the vaunted cross. 
If now his silent ears might hear them preach 
From marble vault he would break forth and fight 
Again the wicked might of Emperor bold." 

As through the rabid mob the holy men 
In bondage cruel were led, insulting hands 
Upon them laid, by halter stained with blood. 
With curse and blow, expecting to be rent 
By demon-guided hands, and suffer there 
In martyrdom for true and holy faith; 

48 



IVAN 

The other knight with ei'oss-emblazoned shield 
In anger swiftly came, but calm and deep, 
Protesting lovid against the sacrilege. 
Dismounting from his steed he loosed the bonds 
From holy hands, he drew the halters from 
Their sacred throats, and on his gallant steed 
He placed the aged one with gentle care. 
And by the other's solemn side he walked 
In barrier of his knightly mail and shield 
To flying stone and curse, to all the hate 
Which stirred the angry hearts of villagers. 
Thus in protection kind he shielded them 
From every harm until the iron gate 
Of Oelmar rose before the travelers. 
But black its sable lord in anger rode. 
In disappi'oval, speaking not, although 
His heart rebelled at action of his friend. 
Whose beauty bright he loved to gaze upon. 



The sun was sinking far into the west, 

The bright and golden, hot, midsummer sun. 

Its ray descending drank from atmosphere 

Of thirsty eai'th below until the green 

Was drooping scorched on ancient forest tree, 

And o'er the winding road from out the east 

Ascending to the moat of castle old 

And grey, there hung a cloud of circling dust. 

Which whirling rose upon the summer air. 

The dusty road to Catherine, who gazed 

From turret window high, was steep and lone 

As when the morn had cast its sultry ray 

Of slow increasing light upon her head. 

Bowed in despair and utter weariness. 

Upon the window seat she wept again 

As softly as the sigh of moaning wind 

And clasped her white and trembling hands, upraised 

Her tearless eyes to hot midsummer skies 

And mountains high that gleamed beyond the clouds. 

No candles burned; the suffocating air 

From off the moat in stagnant pool below 

Arose in vapor's thick oppressive heat. 

' ' My tears no longer flow, the fountain deep 
Within my heart has weeping been consumed; 
The bitter gall of woe no water has 
To mix with its increasing flood. Burn on. 
Thou ceaseless fire, as dagger in my heart, 

50 



IVAN 

Consume the soul in hideous despair, 
And drink from mind the memory of joy. 
Thou dread and hot, oppressive day, too long 
Upon the sky thy lurid flame hath burned. 
And Avithered all tlie earth. Descending now, 
From thirsty plain and yonder mountain high, 
Shake off thy deadly charm. let me live 
Again, and breathe the cool, refreshing breeze 
From off the far and silent sea again. 
For cooling drink from that delightful well 
Beside my pleasant home so far away; 
If one sweet draught I could in pleasure drink 
Perchance this dreadful weight of sorrow would 
Uplift its gloom from my embittered soul, 
Would leave my heart to find its peace again. 

''0 thought more terrible, and black as night 
Which rends my widowed heart in ceaseless fear; 
Suppose my child, my only one on earth, 
So innocent and pure, and glorious 
In youth, so like an angel fair and bright, 
Who rode away that glowing mom in Spring 
So long ago, should in the evil hand 
Of wicked man be caught and done to death. 
My darling from the power of the dogs 
Defend; release his beauteous soul from death, 
From bonds of night. Put forth thy mighty hand, 
God, and save his soul from punishment 
Of death and Hell. Thou art so mighty, strong 
Above the little earth, the sea, the sky; 
Thou hast a dwelling place beyond the stars. 
Thou whose gracious hand controls the sea 
Of all the universe, refuse me not. 

51 



IVAN 

Defend my Ivan from the Evil One 
And leave him not to die within the spell 
Of death that's ignominious and dread. 

"What can I do but weep and wildly pray 

To Thee, and break this woe-embittered heart. 

That he had died in days of innocence 

And gone to Heaven then while he was pure. 

What if my heart had broken then with grief, 

Not half so terrible its sorrow deep 

As that which rends me overburdened now. 

No more assurance comes that he is safe 

From every harm, that he is innocent 

And lives to-day as true as long ago; 

Instead, a mystic spell of terror hangs 

About my weary head, as angel form 

Which will not speak that which my heart divines. 

Virgin, pale and fair, I will return 

Within thy halls to worship once again 

If thou wilt guide my little Ivan home, 

And save him from the hand of wickedness. 

In pity hear my plea, thou mother sweet 

And fairer than the morn, and let my child. 

My only one, return again to me." 

Afar upon the way, through forest green. 
By many stately trees upon the road, 
A cloud of dust arose as if a throng 
Advanced from barren village in the plain. 
The sun sank farther down, and from the marsh 
That distant lay beside the river wide 
The birds ascending shrilly cried, in search 
Of shelter high in gloomy forest tree 

52 



IVAN 

Before oppressive night should wrap its cloud 

In mystic thraldom o'er the languid earth. 

A terror strange had fallen on the heart 

Of Catherine, as spellbound to the east 

In apprehensive fear she gazed upon 

A numerous throng advancing up the way. 

It nearer came; she saw through drooping trees 

A horseman dark, attired in sable hue. 

*'Ivan is come to thee again," a voice 

In sorrow whispered in her ear, and filled 

Her silent heart with fear that undefined 

Oppressed her as in terror of the night. 

Mechanically she drew a silver horn 
And blew a clarion note which echoed far 
Below in music through the silent halls 
And winding corridors. A servitor 
Responded to the call, and swiftly down 
The stairs departed at her low command. 
Arousing from its sleep the castleway. 
Wide flew the iron gate, and drawbridge down 
With noise of distant thunder rolling fell. 
O'er gleaming moat the warden hurried forth 
And solemn stood to meet the ascending train. 
Below the sen-ants hurried to and fro. 
The noise of oaken door resounding deep, 
The clang of wooden shoe upon the floor; 
In preparation all their master proud 
To greet with joy and celebration meet. 
Some kindled fire a banquet to prepare, 
While others lit the hall with candles bright 
And brought by fading light of ending day 
With hasty step the wines from cellar deep. 

53 



IVAN 

In teiTor's charm above knelt Catherine. 

She saw her noble sou, ascending proud 

The castle Avay; on scornful face no smile, 

No happiness or joy at his return; 

But sullen gloom, as though a heavy spell 

Of sin and sorrow o'er him deeply hung, 

The joyous face of youth who went away 

Transformed to that of night. Where was the air 

So gallant of his boyish purity? 

It seemed that sin had wrapped in heavy gloom. 

In cloud of scorn and woe, his solemn form, 

And kept with some unholy spell the joy 

From noble face, the light from veiled eyes. 

What prisoners were those so darkly brought 

With hands enchained ! Appalling sacrilege 

That holy men should follow in his train 

As captives of the war in fetters bound ! 

As turned to stone, the form of Catherine 

In grief looked down upon the changing scene 

Nor hurried there her noble son to greet. 



54 



VI 



Upon the castle high of Altenstein 

In splendor shone the bright midsummer sun 

Of noonday in its calm and brilliant peace, 

In beauty radiant down within the mist 

That scarce distinguished rose from river deep 

And far below, whose silent waters ran 

In swiftness by the overhanging walls 

Of castle high and white of Altenstein; 

Where white the gothic minarets arose 

As if exalting from the earth below 

The holy cross surmounted on each white 

And gleaming spire, and dim and fairy-like. 

Composed of stone, the high Byzantium walls 

With bright and airy balconies appeared; 

The solid battlements and towers round 

As some gigantic tree from forest old 

Set light upon a mountain's higher crest 

Which rose abrupt beside the river wide. 

Beneath the gardens lay in summer green 

Luxuriant, where many elm trees. 

Gigantic, ancient, formed a dusky screen 

Before the castle's entrance, splendid, white, 

And gleaming in the radiant atmosphere. 

Within a sheltered, cool, delightful place 
Of highest garden fair, where myrtles grew 
In fragrance, glowing white upon the air. 
And all about the clinging vines were thick 



55 



IVAN 

And hanging low to meet the olive green, 
The deep sequestered beauty of the lawn, 
A child in robe of white with rippling hair 
As darkly golden as the deep-toned sky 
Of early morn which rises glowing o'er 
Some stately northern isle in grandeur white 
With snows that lie in virgin purity, 
Sweet wondrous eyes as dark and innocent 
And calm as morning star with holy gleam 
In radiance down upon the mystic isle, 
Cornelia stood in childhood loveliness, 
In joy upon the myrtle's fragrant bloom 
With rapture gazing sweet. She was a child 
Who loved the calm and peaceful solitude 
Of delicate flowers and the elm trees 
Which bending down about her pleasant path 
Gave shelter where the angels guarded sweet. 
They were companions, silent but in word, 
Which strove to shield her with a gentle care. 

From where the myrtle bloom in festoons hung, 

A child who seemed an angel from the skies 

Stepped forth and stood so bright in radiance 

Of noonday sun, in fear Cornelia shrank 

In apprehension back and placed a hand, 

A little fairy hand, against the form 

Of tall and trembling elm which stately stood. 

As pure and dazzling white as fragrant bloom 

Would seem if it should mortal form assume. 

The other stood in peace. Her eyes were blue 

And sweet as misty summer skies o'erhead; 

Her angel face as pale as lily bloom, 

With long dark hair which seemed reflection dim 

58 



IVAN 

Of that mysterious gloom which emanates 
In sorrow from the Heavenly mansions fair; 
She stood, and round her long seraphic robe 
A golden light in tranquil beauty shone, 
Which seemed to take a soft material form 
Of golden wings extended to the earth 
On which she rested in the light. 

She spoke, as sweet as harp's undying tone 

That golden echoes in the corridors 

Of marble, in the voiceless halls of time 

Below the gleaming Avails of Paradise : 

"Be not afraid. My name is Madeline, 

A lowly one who dwells in Heaven's far 

And stately halls, come down to wailing earth 

On pilgrimage with Michael and his hosts. 

Who flaming bright has gone to Oelmar's hall. 

Come, guide me through this fragrant garden way, 

While I to thee a secret will unfold. 

How white thy little hand! It seems as pure 

And cold and like the ones of those who dwell 

As my companions in the snowy halls. 

Entrancing beauty from thy smiling eyes 

Now gleams, but how pale thy cheek ! Fear not 

The lowly one who would converse with thee. 

What is thy name? Cornelia? Sweet it sounds 

And clear upon thy gentle ruby lips. 

"Madeline is mine. In Heaven I am placed 
Within the spacious court of one who dwells 
Most pure, a glorious saint, who suffered much 
Upon the way of pain ; whose heart was rent 
By that contrition deep which overwhelms, 

57 



IVAN 

When by the cross she stood a penitent. 
She bade me promise thee that in the time 
Which is to come, if ever thou shouldst be 
Afflicted, or desire a favor much. 
The grace of God to help a friend in need. 
Most fervently to ask her gentle aid; 
And if it be according to the will 
Of Him who is thy gracious Lord and mine. 
It shall be granted in the course of time. 
You ask if I have seen that glorious One. 
Yes, many times, for daily in His courts 
Have I with countless angels knelt to praise 
And glorify His name, His majesty 
Omnipotent, and in His presence high 
Have offered up the adoration sweet. 

"I saw him first when as an humble child 

I suffering lay upon a restless bed 

Of pain and sleeplessness. Then in the long 

And endless hours of the night when he. 

My earthly father, faint Avith watching fell 

Beside me in disturbed and weary sleep. 

With broken sigh and suffocated moan, 

I thought His sweet and gentle face in love 

Gleamed in the dark and lit my wretchedness. 

His holy voice in sweet encouragement 

Commanded me the suffering to endure. 

The affliction deep a little longer bear. 

He promised me a golden crown of life 

Unspeakable in glory of the light. 

When death with bright and golden hand unbound 

Affliction's chain of earthly torture dread, 

I found the suffering bitter was designed 

58 



IVAN 

To bear upon my father's wicked heart 
And turn him to his sovereign ruler high, 
Unto his God again, whom he had lost. 

"Onee only did I see His face in gloom; 

When all the beauteous ranks of Heavenly courts 

Were thinned as though the million stars had gone; 

For seraphs then on journey of import 

Had hastened to the frenzied earth below. 

There was a deep and holy gloom within 

Those peaceful halls, there was a note of pain 

In seraph hymn; and when I knelt below 

The Master's golden throne, I heard His voice 

As summer wind in sorrow, murmur, 'Lost, 

And with him countless millions fall.' The tears 

Were streaming down His face, and when His eyes 

In sadness gleamed upon me kneeling low. 

While swiftly bright returning angels came 

In speechlessness from wailing earth below: 

*0 little Madeline,' I thought He said, 

'Were all thy sufferings on the earth in vain. 

And useless all thy woe? Forever lost. 

As Lucifer who darkly fell below 

In swift avenging cloud, creating Hell?' 

"I marveled then why all the company 
Of angel hosts were kinder than before. 
If that were possible. Supremely now 
In happiness I dwell, and satisfied, 
An angel in the highest Heaven bright 
And glorified. At times I marvel why 
My father stays so long upon the earth. 
Nor leaves the changing sky to dwell in love 

59 



IVAN 

With those who rest in perfect peace above. 
But hark ! Thou hearest now, Cornelia sweet 
And fairest child, that clarion note which rings 
Across the hills and snowy castle walls, 
As silvery bugle in the early morn'? 
Now Michael calls for me. Returning home, 
He speeds from gloomy halls of Oelmar far, 
Where dark-remembered loom its castle walls 
In forest evil haunted. Goodby, sweet 
And mortal child, in Heaven we shall meet. 
Remember thou the message brought to thee. 
Reveal it not; the secret holy keep." 

Beneath the high and glowing castle wall, 
Above the green of vine embowered way, 
The myrtle flowers bloomed in purity; 
The ancient, high, majestic elm trees 
Mysteriously were whispering in the breeze 
Which softly from the mountains high and white 
Had kissed Cornelia's pale and snowy cheek. 
And brought the faint perfume of Heaven from 
The peaceful, far, and glowing skies of blue. 
Within the air the music of a voice 
Seraphic lingered low and passing sweet; 
But to Cornelia's anxious eyes appeared 
No angel form within the radiant light. 
Awhile she stood and gazed in speechless joy 
Upon the high and snowy myrtle bloom. 
Where lay the green and vine embowered way; 
But Madeline had vanished in the ray 
Of summer sun which softly streaming down 
Withdrew its golden gleaming light before 
A silvery shining cloud upon the sky. 

60 



IVAN 

She hastened then unto an arbor near, 
O'erhung by long and dusky purple vine, 
Upborne by marble columns green and high 
Reflecting in their beauty glowing bright 
The dancing spray of fountains far away. 
She found a maiden delicate and white 
As myrtle blossoms in the morning dew, 
Reclining on a green and marble seat. 
Her hair had fallen down amidst the gloom 
Upon a snowy robe composed as that 
Which is the holy dress of Heaven's queen. 
O'ershaded by the arbor's dusky green 
She seemed to dwell mysterious and high 
Within a place above the thought of man; 
Her face, angelic, pure, in study bent, 
Within her dark and glowing eyes serene 
The chaste and purple beauty of the vine 
Incarnate, shadowed, dimly seemed to dwell; 
A daughter of the house of Altenstein, 
Sweet Adelaide in youth and loveliness, 
hi glowing beauty of a princess fair. 
Inquiringly from ancient Latin scroll 
Looked up into Cornelia's glowing eyes; 

Who paused respectfully beneath the shade 
Of emerald arbor green and covered o'er 
With long and dusky purple flowering vine. 
''O sister, saw you not a wondrous child 
Called Madeline? She came from far above 
The sun emblazoned sky, in beauty fair 
Descended to the earth, and as we strolled 
Beneath the elm trees by castle wall 
She told of Heaven far in mystery, 

61 



IVAN 

And brought a message to me, secret from 
All ears but mine. She was so beautiful 
And bright within the glowing sun, yet sad; 
It seemed she mourned her father on the earth. 
Who grieved so much o'er her untimely death. 
But suddenly, responding to the call 
Of silvery horn upon the fragrant air, 
She passed away toward the gloomy wall 
Of Oelmar far, to join the seraph hosts 
Who linger there in battle for the right ; 
After which I saw but fair and holy light 
Descending from the spires in glory high, 
And sought in vain for smiling eyes of blue." 

The gentle voice of Adelaide replied 

In awe and wonder at the other's words: 

"No one with thee I saw, beloved child. 

But now recall the sun more brightly shone 

About thy path in mystic beauty down. 

I heard the seraph's note, and all the air 

Was filled with melody inaudible 

And strange as glorious songs of those who dwell 

Above; entrancing sweet the music came 

Across the garden high, as in a dream 

The seraph hymns of Paradise are heard 

So faintly in the high and glowing air. 

But come, I'll read to thee a story old 

Of beauteous silvery angel who appeared 

To Thobias, a youth as beautiful 

And holy as the radiant ones who serve 

In priestly robes about the altars high 

And white, who bow in adoration low 

Before the gracious Lord, who glorified 

Is worshipped in His holy temples bright." 

62 



IVAN 

Upon a marble chair which rested wide 

And glowing, richly carved in white, amid 

The deep and cooling shade of summertime, 

Where marble columns high of emerald hue 

Supported arbor vine in green luxuriant, 

Cornelia listened to the story old, 

Related in the glowing tones and sweet 

Of Adelaide. The bright unclouded ray 

Of summer sun was slowly sinking down 

Within the west to walls of Oelmar far, 

And to the east the tall majestic shade 

Of elm trees was creeping silently 

And slow, as if in stealth to flee the light. 

But ere the flaming sun had slowly reached 

The mountain high beyond the forest deep 

And woe-inspiring castle walls afar, 

A messenger across the river wide 

Sailed swiftly o'er its dark and rippling tide 

And anchored by the river gates below. 

He leaped in haste from trembling boat and blew 

A clarion note on huntsman's solemn horn. 

The drawbridge fell with loud and heavy sound 

Across the river moat, the iron gates 

Were caught and opened wide to Percival. 

He bounded up the winding marble stairs 
And by the green, o'erhanging terraces. 
His knightly robe was of an emerald hue 
And wrapped a form of boyish innocence. 
His hair contained the slightest tint of gold ; 
His soft and dreamy eyes of emerald biue. 
Reflecting faintly green of summer day. 
The whiteness of his solemn face enhanced. 

63 



IVAN 

In kuightly hand a golden helmet bright 
With soft and waving plume he held secure. 
A golden sheathed sword in splendor hung 
In circling beauty from his girdle bright 
Above the green of tunic to his knee; 
Below which shone his closely fitting hose 
And golden buckled shoes of quaint design. 
About his quivering throat, low-bordered, white, 
A golden chain with crucifix of pearl 
Descending hung within a holy light, 
And o'er his broad and gTaeeful shoulders swung 
A silver horn, designed for vise in war. 

Before the arch that led to arbor green 
He paused and looked to blue midsummer sky 
As if he spoke to One who reigns above; 
Then entered silently, in joy beheld 
The snowy maidens deeply occupied 
In mystery of the ancient, Latin scroll. 
They heard his steps when by a column high 
And green he stood in beauty tall, 
And spoke in voice as sweet as river's flow 
Upon the far and changing hills of light : 
"Ivan has returned. Before a sable train 
Of vassals, on the mountain far away, 
I found his might returning from the war. 
In majesty he comes, in secrecy, 
As though to war upon his native land. 
It grieves my heart to tell the sacrilege 
Committed by his hand. Two holy men 
Are bound within his castle dungeons deep; 
And Catherine bids thee come to Oelmar's hall 
And strive with love his reason to restore." 

64 



IVAN 

As pale as silent death the startled face 
Of Adelaide against the flowers grew, 
Which hung in purple light above her head. 
With frightened eyes she gazed on Percival 
And searched for any hope which lingered in 
His solemn face and smile of greeting fair. 
Upon her countenance was writ the joy 
Of him returned, exalted in her heart, 
But overshaded by increasing fear 
For safety of his soul, as in the west 
Declining silently the summer sun 
Was covered by a cloud. Assurance none 
She found within the other's solemn mien. 
And from her holy face the joy had fled; 
Within its place an all consuming fear. 
In agony she breathed a fervent prayer: 
*'0 most compassionate, my mother fair. 
Remember Ivan now, and deign to cast 
Those beauteous eyes of mercy on thy child. 
In time of need, Virgin pure, to thee 
I fly, before thy sacred feet to fall, 
mother, hear, and intercede for me." 



H5 



vn 



There was a garden by the sombre wall 

Of Oelmar high, a garden desolate 

In solemn loneliness, and low it stood 

Revealed beneath the green of ancient tree 

By river flowing from the mountain side. 

There stood a pine which grew to wondrous height, 

As column straight and hewn from marble brown, 

Until it reached a balcony above 

On window ledge within the castle wall. 

Where branching in three limbs of equal length, 

As mystic tridon forms a rod of three, 

It towered on in majesty until 

It reached with whispering leaf the very hall 

Of turret frowning high in massive strength 

Above the highest tower in the wall. 

Below it grew a tree of evergreen 

Which cast a sombre shade o'er darkened earth. 

No flowers grew, save myrtle in its bloom 

Of purple mystic in the heavy gloom 

On graceful white and slender gleaming stem, 

Which cast a solemn radiance on the air. 

Beyond the dark and beauteous array 
Of purple bloom which hung above the high 
And overshadowed wall, the river wide 
Between its cool and marshy banks of green 
Lay rippling in the sun's declining light. 
Which poured its thirsty beam in languor down 

66 



IVAN 

As though to drink the dark and rippling tide; 
And from the marshy pool or purer flow 
Which mighty rolled to far and endless sea, 
To where the hastening cloud of summer blue 
Advancing sought in swift, inconstant flight 
The mountain peaks to shade, the vales below, 
As brilliant mirage o'er a desert bare 
Gleams faint and far defined in mystic glow. 
Fair Altenstein appeared in grandeur high 
Against the summer sky, in waters deep 
And rippling far below; so like the halls 
Of Paradise, that o 'er its portals white 
And on its high and gleaming spires a host 
Of angels bright in beauty seemed to dwell 
And stretch protecting hand o'er all the realm. 

Attired in robe of black, in stately fold. 
Which trailing down upon the solemn green 
Appeared reflection of the castle wall; 
Beneath the purple bloom of mjTtle tree 
A lady stood and gazed with beauteous eyes, 
O'ershaded by a hand so delicate 
And snowy white it seemed amid the gloom 
A cloud of beauty, on the gleaming spire 
Of distant Altenstein, which glowing bright 
Appeared a peaceful mansion in the sky. 
Her hair was soft and snowy white beneath 
Thp purple bloom and seemed to lightly blend 
With slender beauty of the myrtle stem. 
Against a bough of which she sadly leaned 
And rested there a white and trembling hand. 
For messenger's return, dispatched at noon 
In eager haste to Altenstein, she gazed 

67 



IVAN 

With tearful eye, but patiently, in woe 
And grief because the one she revered so, 
Her only son, should be without his faith, 
And curse religion in its every form. 

As thus she stood in sad and anxious mood 

A deep familiar step upon the green 

Was heard, and by her side there solemn stood 

Ivan, tall, in youthful beauty dark, 

And lovingly, his eyes of deepest blue 

Which shone with tender gleam revealing pain 

And mental suffering, a remorse concealed. 

''Why standing here, sweet mother?" he inquired, 

"Why gazing to the misty mountain side? 

Is not thy treasure here, returned to thee? 

look on me again as when a child 

Before thee standing I upheld a face 

As pure and fair as myrtle flower bloom 

In mystic purple beauty of the morn. 

Turn not away, so pale, with broken heart. 

The tears are coursing down thy snowy cheek. 

And dim the eyes which shone so bright in love. 

What fault hast thou to find with Ivan here? 

What crime have I commit that thou dost turn 

In sadness from thy child, the only one 

Who loves thee on the earth, or Heaven far?" 

Almost the heart of Catherine was won. 

How could she long resist the pleading sweet 

Of Ivan, beauteous, her only child. 

Or coldly turn from him with solemn face. 

Refusing words of love an egress from 

Her trembling lips. She slowly turned and placed 

68 



IVAN 

A mother's gentle hand upon his two 
So fondly clasped ; the tears from off her eyes 
Fled swiftly as the light from out his own 
Sweet eyes of blue descended on her face, 
As stars of evening shine upon the gloom 
And wield a spell o'er all the solemn earth. 
But far the silvery note of Pereival 
Was heard upon the air, and swiftly on 
The river's rippling flow he gallant came. 
Returning in a barque with snowy sail 
Across the river wide to Catherine. 
Upon the grate of dungeon deep below 
Her glance in startled manner fearful fell. 
Remembering those who lay in prison deep 
And teri'ible, and low in gloom of night, 
Again in trembling haste she turned away 
A face which shone in tortured agony. 

"Listen to my pleading once again. 

Dearest mother, hearken to my voice. 

My heart is torn with grief that thou shouldst turn 

In gloom away from me. Thou art so pale 

Beside these purple flowers, fragrant sweet, 

In robe of sombre black, so delicate, 

So frail it seems beneath this myrtle bough. 

Thou grievest much because I tarried long 

In service of the King. My heart is moved 

To solemn tears, with bitterness is filled 

That I have caused thee woe. Engaged I've been 

On matters of import and consequence 

And could not hither come, or even send 

Consoling word; for with the enemy 

In battles violent the kingdoms rage 



69 



IVAN 

And even now a victory's imminent. 

The forces high beyond the mountains are 

This very night departing to the war. 

They go against the one who would enthrall 

With grinding chain, the heart, the mind, the soul 

In bondage deep, and cover all the earth 

With tyranny from out the gates of Rome. 

"Why dost thou turn in such despair away, 

Sweet mother? I have failed to understand 

Thy pale and tearful woe, the welcome cold; 

Thy smiles are not as those of mother love; 

And now within thy heart an anguish deep, 

A mournful reticence I have discerned. 

Which makes me grieve for having caused thee woe. 

I follow in the steps of father brave 

Who fought for freedom of the heart and mind. 

Who strove and died a martyr to the cause ; 

Whose soul we hope forever dwells within 

Those mansions fair beyond the starry skies. 

Why startest thou so wildly and in fear? 

Thine eyes expectant turn to Altenstein. 

Can aught of good come from those pompous halls, 

Those walls upraised to One who had no place 

To rest upon the earth His kingly head; 

Who went about, companion of the lame, 

The common poor, the leper and the blind? 

better for the world it were to sell 

And give unto the poor that brazen hall. 

"I follow in thy steps, for in thy youth. 
According to the wish of him who lies 
In lonely white sarcophagus above, 

70 



IVAN 

You taught me to uphold the freedom of 

The will, the only standard of thy god; 

To fight for liberty as Leader strove 

Against the Emperor then, the binding chain 

Of institution arrogant to break. 

But I, a stubborn child, still fondly clung 

To oldeu faith, for then it seemed to me 

A bulwark of the right, a dwelling place 

For those who struggle on against the will; 

But wiser have I grown. Such faith was good 

For simple youth ; its fiery place of Hell 

Where tortures dim and dread would rend the soul, 

If faithless on the earth, the demons red 

With cloven hoof and hideous eyes of green, 

Its terrifying pit of punishment, 

Would gain obedience of the frightened mind; 

But older grown I see the folly now 

Of such belief. I cannot worship One 

Whom I have never seen upon the earth. 

"There is no Hell, no place of torture deep 
Beyond this hopeless life. The suffering's here; 
For God is light and never would create 
A place so black and hideous as that. 
There is no Evil One, beguiling here 
The heart of man. who striving to destroy 
Enwraps him in a heavy cloud of night, 
In proud conceit, or bold indifference. 
The reason for thy sadness I've divined, 
And grieve that it is so. In prison deep 
The men of sable robe, within the cell, 
The dungeon low, were striving to regain 
The vassals who were faithful to thy lord, 

71 



IVAN 

And fought the enemy which now is near 
Beyond those mountains in the higher plain. 
They preached that Leader's dwelling place is Hell. 
The proof I ask; or they shall die in chains. 
Sweet mother, I implore, turn not away; 
The war is imminent ; by death perchance 
I fall to-morrow. Say that I have done 
What pleases thee; forgive me now, and seal 
That pardon with a mother's sweet embrace." 

Almost the heart of Catherine was won. 

How could her son commit an evil deed ? 

Perchance the doubt, the anguish terrible, 

The thought that all was wrong in Oelmar's hall — 

A sacrilege to prison holy men — 

Temptations were, insidious and dark. 

To lure the mind to further realms of woe; 

And so it was, she almost now believed, 

As turning to her child, his pleading eyes 

She saw in deep transcendent blue, his bright 

And rapturous smile of sweet expectancy. 

Her trembling hand was placed upon his throat; 

Her heart in love gave way before the flood 

Of pleading from his lips; almost a kiss 

Of pardon was upon their sacred mould 

Impressed, when sharp — the clear and silvery note 

Of Percival beneath the river wall 

Rang forth a Avarning on the summer air 

Surcharged with heat, and heavy in the calm 

As though expectant of catastrophe; 

And from the dungeon's lowly grate was heard 

The moan, the chanting of its prisoners. 

72 



IVAN 

As up the stairs of marble water way 

Came all in white the form of Adelaide 

It seemed the air was filled with heavenly strain 

Of music low and rapturous sweet as that 

Of angel choir above the darkened earth. 

She seemed in snowy robe the embodiment 

Of all the peace that clothed in beauty deep, 

Unchanging hung upon the lofty spire 

Beyond the glowing walls of Altenstein. 

Her dark appealing eyes were glowing sweet 

As morning's purest star which hangs enwrapped 

In veil of night before the amber dawn, 

And modest, hid beneath the lashes long. 

With graceful step and o'er the solemn green, 

Advancing in the gloom as flowers glow 

In some sequestered place of forest deep. 

She came in 3'outh and innocence to greet 

The startled ones. About her queenly brow 

A purple diadem of flowers hung. 

Wound weirdly sweet and strange in mystery; 

Cornelia's hand entwined them fast 

Around her brow within the arbor high. 

**Thou art as welcome to this garden dim 
As morn's first trembling ray to eyes of those 
Who sleepless all the dreary night have watched 
In deep unceasing pain for dawning light. 
Which comes as peace upon the wounded heart 
And brings a calm refreshing to the mind. 
Already hast thou heard the joy which fills 
These sombre castle walls. Too soon, alas, 
Perchance it will be turned to mourning deep; 
The wanderer has returned but to depart. 

73 



IVAN 

Dost thou not hear that solemn horn afar 
Upon the air beyond the mighty hill 
That stands majestic in the crimson light? 
Almost I seem to see a host of men 
Who armored march and bear the standard high 
Of brightly flaming cross. Against his faith 
Ivan goes to war; thy kinsmen to destroy. 
In strife he contemplates to drive them forth 
From provinces within his jealous realm. 
But hark! A voice which calls by yonder wall 
Is Percival's, who seareheth now for me. 
Remain awhile, dear Adelaide, beneath 
The myrtle tree. 1 will return auoii." 

So Catherine in solemn tones and low 

Embraced the other, Avhispering in her ear 

A parting word which brought to startled eyes 

Unholy fear, and to her blanching face 

A tint of red; then o'er the solemn green 

In black descending robe, departing slowly 

By the gloomy trees of evergreen, 

She came to gate within the eastern wall 

And from the garden vanished from the sight, 

As sombre shadows of remorse depart 

From human hearts where enters lovely peace. 

Upon a garden seat of darkest green, 

In restfulness beneath the purple tree, 

Reclining, Adelaide, with eyes of love 

Which darkly gleamed in purity serene 

Consuming in their depths the myrtle's gloom 

And changing it to light, looked fondly up 

Into the deep and solemn eyes of blue 

Which strangely down o'er her in sorrow gleamed. 

As though reflecting purple of her wreath. 

74 



IVAN 

Her voice was low and sweet as music in 
The summer rain, which falls in soothing peace 
Upon the sombre green of garden low 
Beneath a sky, where rainbow's purple hue 
Predominates above the silvery gleam 
Of aspen tree, whose stately branches glow 
Beneath the dancing leaves. Afar the sun, 
Revealed in darkened beauty of a cloud, 
Sank slowly to the west, appalling red; 
And o'er its bloody face of terror deep 
A passing scene of changing silhouettes. 
Composed of castle weird, descending group 
Of bare and shattered trees, of mountains high 
And low ascending plain which barren shone 
Amid the ruin, presaged a terror wild. 
To clutch with evil hand the fearful mind 
Of man, and in his heart commotion stir, 
Reminding him of that appalling woe 
And deep and fiery horror of the all 
Destroying flame which cometh at the end. 

''Can it be true? Ivan, hast thou renounced 

Thj^ ruler's faith, and turned from God above, 

Who on thee smiled in deep transcendent love" 

I cannot understand. I deemed it false 

Until thy very lips had spoken it, 

And yet the heart cannot believe it true. 

It seems to me the bright intelligence 

Of thine a veil has hidden for a time; 

Uplifted soon, unto thy tortured mind 

It will reveal a brighter glory then 

Of joy unknown to eye of mortal here. 

Thou art unhappy, so unhappy now 

75 



IVAN 

And strangely different. I know the cause; 

For in the olden time the sacrament 

So hoty was a consolation sweet; 

The Sacred Host descended in thy heart, 

Enwrapping all thy soul with purity 

And peace for thy disordered mind; but now 

That mystery thou canst no more believe? 

Thy truant mind's revulsion made it so, 

Because of some insidious strange intent. 

"Thou canst no more believe a place as dark 

As hideous and dreadful deep as Hell 

Was made by Kingly hand which rules in might 

The circling universe; thou thinkest that 

The soul of man returns unto the earth 

To live again, embodied in a form 

Of fairer mould, resembling that of light. 

Thou canst not hold it true, and doubtest then 

That God unto the earth could come and dwell 

Immaculate ? Beware ! For ever when 

The Enemy of man would subtly kill 

His true belief, the arrows darkly fly 

Against that fair and glorious one who crushed 

In victory his black rebellious head 

As serpent's to the groaning earth. Beware! 

For in a cloud he hangs above thee now 

And strives thy tortured mind to overthrow. 

His subterfuge is great, and to the one 

Unskilled in knowledge of his dark deceit, 

His thought appears a glowing light, as in 

The hand of man a worthless bauble gleams; 

"A thought inspired and cunningly devised 
By him, who covers o'er the hidden snare 

76 



IVAN 

For mortal soul, as stealthy huntsman far 

Within a forest dark and terrible 

Heaps dying leaves upon a deadly trap. 

What if the soul again is incarnate 

Upon the earth — the memory must be gone, 

As madman's mind dethroned, or idiot; 

No more recalling those beloved in 

The olden days, a mother fond and true. 

And others seeming dearer to the mind 

In after years, the treasures of the heart 

No more beholding in the time to come; 

Oblivion's endless pall the life to hide; 

To die, remembering not, eternal struck 

From oif the proud and glowing earth as once 

From Heaven fell upon Gomorrah's wall, 

Upon the city fair of Sodom's plain, 

A flood of fire and stone, effacing those 

Who wicked dwelt therein, believing not. 

"What sin so terrible within thy heart 

Which drove thee from thy God, and made His light 

Appear obscure, repulsive to thy mind? 

Thou knowest why the olden faith is lost. 

As priceless jewel in the sands of time 

That stretch as desert bare upon the earth. 

search for it and strive again to find 

That gift of faith, within which wondrous light 

The error noAv which creeps upon thy mind. 

So dark, will swiftly flee as night before 

Triumphant raj^ of morning's brightest sun. 

Wilt thou not search for it? Remember what 

A holy gift it was to thee in days 

Of happy state, when fair and innocent 

77 



IVAN 

Thou sawest in the night the faces black 
Of those who unseen strive to gain the soul 
Of struggling man. Thou knowest what is lost, 
As mother does a child, who now has gone 
Astray in path of wickedness; who once 
Was pure and white as flower of the morn." 

With earnest voice and tender, Adelaide, 
Inspired by angels, pleading from her heart 
And smiling with the might of beauty on 
The one she loved, appealed in innocence 
To every sounding chord within his heart. 
Awhile she paused to press on tearful eye 
A kerchief white as snow. In western sky 
Ascending terribly a storm arose, 
A far oppressive roar of thunder deep 
And ominous resounded in the air. 
Arising swiftly from the garden seat 
She extended snowy hand toward the storm: 
''I can no longer stay, for see, the cloud 
In yonder scarlet west appalleth me 
With nameless fear. Hast thou a scapular? 
0, then, wear this. Ivan, I love but thee; 
Thy guardian angel through my feeble voice 
Now speaks to thee; wear it for my sake. 
If thou refuse, I pity thee in time 
And all eternity. Farewell. Farewell." 

In haste he seized the scapular and gazed 
In love upon the mother's face thereon 
Above a little Child, whose hand was held 
As though to place it on a faithful heart, 
Enrolling it within the army bright 

78 



IVAN 

Of fair and glorious Queen of Heaven crowned 

And Lady of the Earth. He folded it 

With tender care and gently placed it on 

His throbbing heart, as lover's sacred gift 

Is treasured dear and often gazed upon. 

In solemn tones he spoke, as though in pledge 

Of olden faith : * ' I cannot wear it now. 

But will respect and keep it for thy sake; 

Request no more of me, dear Adelaide." 

In disappointment then she looked afar 

To where the dark ascending cloud arose; 

Again a solemn roar of thunder pealed 

In dreadful reverberation on the air. 

She waved a snowy hand and hastened down 

The winding way to where a servitor 

In patience held a white and trembling sail. 

Abruptly leaving Ivan in despair. 

The myrtle tree and garden desolate. 



79 



VIII 

Below the haunted hall of Oelmar, deep 

Within its dungeon dark and terrible, 

Beneath the wild and stormy river's flow, 

In gloom of coming night the prisoners were, 

The holy men of God with hands enchained; 

Within a cell the ministers of right. 

On whom the frenzied hand of evil lay. 

The persecution of the fallen earth; 

Their mournful chant accompanied by the sound 

Of water's dismal roar and clanking chain 

About their clasped hands descending bound 

As though to drag the holy form to earth, 

And in the bondage of despair degrade 

The very soul. Against the reeking wall 

One leaned despondently, in terror deep 

Of howling air, the waters overhead 

That raging dashed in frantic storm against 

A grated window high, as though in hate 

In wildest fury to destroy, to rend 

In seething flood of waters turbulent 

The shaking cell, the prisoners bound therein. 

"0 brother, see how wild the storm doth blow. 

And dash in fury down upon the wall; 
The river's raging foam is red with blood 
Of warriors done to death. hear the wind 
Which drives in evil storm the demons here ! 
listen to the sound of thunder deep 

80 



IVAN 

And far a^\'ay! It hastens o'er the sky, 

Advancing to the strife. What means the night, 

The terror ominous which darkly hangs 

Above my woeful heart as heavy wall 

Of sombre stone, or grim, gigantic tree 

That stands within a forest wild and lone. 

And groaning hesitates before it down 

To degradation deep is battered on 

The sodden earth, to east the shattered bough 

In death upon the frightened soil again. 

Its gnarled and ancient root uptorn in wild 

Symbolic woe. see the vivid gleam 

Of lightning o'er the gloom! What horror waits 

Within these frowning walls; a martyr's death 

Before the very mouth is bitter held. 

The strongest demons have in fury forth 

From fiery gates of Hell ascended now 

To drag us down into the endless pit. 

"Last night I saw in vision deeply sweet. 

Within the glowing halls of Altenstein, 

As bright and glorious as the Heavenly smile 

Of seraphs in the morn, as gentle as 

A form of mother bending o'er a child 

In peaceful slumber deep, an angel form. 

It was a fair and holy monk arrayed 

In cloak of purple hue and golden brown. 

Upon his brow a royal diadem 

I saw, a shining band of gold in sweet 

Simplicity about his tonsured brow 

In solemn purity was bound. He seemed 

In calm protection o'er the sleeping form 

To bend. He smiled serenely bright as though 

81 



IVAN 

To courage give, prepare me for the day, 

And strengthen me for trials of the night. 

No more beholding now his holy form 

In love and purity; terrific night 

Has driven him afar. where is he ! 

The heavenly one who guarded every step 

Through all the summer day, o'er mountain high. 

In wild deserted plain, or village low 

And desolate? He hath fled before the storm." 

So Ferdinand, as pale as lily white 
Within the castle marsh, cried out in voice 
Of woe and terror at the coming storm; 
But o'er the prison floor Cajetan strode 
In meditation undisturbed and deep. 
His lips in rigid hue of marble white 
In solemn chant were moving in the night. 
And in his hands a crucifix was held. 
"Fear not, for God is o'er the prison cell 
That deepest lies. The God of Israel 
Omnipotent doth reign ; the same who brought 
Us forth from bondage of the Egypt plain 
And set upon the brow His sacred seal 
Forevermore. In vain the demons rage, 
In vain doth man his puny schemes devise; 
For who is like to Thee, thou Mighty One 
Of Heaven's circling zone, the tiny earth; 
Who holdeth in Thy hand the keys of death 
And deeper Hell. Behold thy God and mine 
Upon His bright and starry throne above 
The frenzied sky sits calmly in His might 
And slumbers not, but keeps with hand of love 
His children lone within the stormy night. 

82 



IVAN 

"Behold, I can by exorcism deep 

Unbind in flaming Hell the spirit there, 

The very soul of Satan in his might 

And all the legions circling round his throne 

Command to come from out the fiery gates. 

And writhing in the mystic spell present 

Themselves to me. If thou dost doubt the word, 

Remember that the Lord once drove from out 

The souls of men the demon's form who cried 

In terror at His word, and fled before 

His holy feet into the salty sea. 

Upon the forms of those who follow Him, 

Who love and do His will in purity, 

The mantle of His power rests divine. 

Fear not the storm of hate which rages o'er 

Thy unprotected head, in fury now 

Descending in the wild tempestuous night. 

From every crime committed on the earth 

Some good is wrought by holy hand of God, 

As from a lowly marsh of fear and woe 

The lily stainless lifts its petals white." 



83 



IX 



The sun sank down in glowing sea of red 
Which filled the west in bloody horror deep, 
The weirdly black and woe portending sky 
With frightful spell of terror ominous, 
As all consuming fires that lie enchained 
In smouldering red and waiting forth to burst 
In deep volcanic flame with scorching breath 
In whirlwind high the wicked earth to wrap 
In countless zones of frantic, lurid fire. 
Against it stood in death's appalling gloom 
The dread, the mighty circling castle walls. 
The towers and the turrets of Oelmar, 
With battlements as strong and prison like 
And grim as everlasting halls of death. 
Below, the winding, wind-swept river lay 
As mighty serpent writhing in its pain, 
With scarlet folds uprising hungrily 
And scales which quivered in a loathsomeness 
Of terror deep. It beat against the stone 
Of castle old with dull tempestuous roar, 
The sound of many waters deep, as though 
In swift destruction to envelop it. 

Within the walls the dull echoing noise 
Of many feet along the corridors 
Resounded wildly running to and fro 
In consternation and the nameless fear 
Of that unfathomed deep portent of ill 

84 



IVAN 

Which rides within the wake of thunder-storm. 

The clash of gleaming sword, the heavy sound 

Of oaken door, the clang of armor bright. 

The harsh appalling noise of prison bar 

Transformed the dark and ancient haunted halls 

Into a place of preparation wild 

For battle imminent within the night. 

The hoarse and strident voice of armored man 

Rang loudly o'er the walls; shrill rose the cry 

Of women desolated and forlorn, 

And tears were streaming from their circled eyes. 

The strife inspiring voice of war had called 

As thunder's mighty roar upon the peak 

Of rugged mountain high, discordant, hoarse, 

And crashing loud as sounding cannon of 

An enemy, which rising in the night 

Appalls at morn its adversaries dim. 

Who flee amidst a storm of bursting shell 

And rending iron chained cannon ball. 

Within the haunted council chamber stood 
The lord and master of its ancient, proud 
And gloomy walls, the glory of its might; 
The scion of a race descended from 
The olden kings, inheritor of that 
For which the worldly monarch strives; the joy 
The only hope of mother's wounded heart. 
The pride of rude and earth stained vassalmen; 
The object of dismay to one who stood 
In gloom beside him in the darkened hall; 
The secret love of one more fair than these. 
So Ivan stood in direful, frowning mood, 
His gleaming sombre eyes of deepest blue 

85 



IVAN 

Rose not to gentle face of Percival, 
Who on the ledge of window, iron barred 
As prison's all securing wall, reclined 
And gazed with frightened eyes upon the scene 
Below where madly scarlet river ran 
In wild tempestuous flood of terror deep; 
But wandered moodily across the floor 
To narrow opening in the blackened wall. 
To where the steps in darkness leading down 
Revealed a place of terror dark and dread 
As gloomy night of everlasting Hell. 

For battle's woeful din and death he was 

Arrayed in garments black as solemn spell 

Of wild and all destroying night which gleams 

From woe appalling eyes of sorcerer, 

Which in the shadows clung mysterious 

About his unresisting form, so tall. 

So straight, and yet so sadly piteous 

In that concealed miseiy of a heart 

And noble mind approaching to the wreck 

Of demon's restlessness. A sheathed sword 

Descended from his sombre girdle broad 

On which a hand of snowy white was seen 

Which bore a gleaming ring; the other rose 

To waving hair and darkly wrinkled brow 

Beneath which glowed the thoughts which subtly 

craze 
A noble mind and drive the tortured heart 
To nameless cruelty. Awhile he stood 
The distant noise unheeding, pitiless 
And cold as grim unhallowed form of death ; 
Then with a movement slow he turned toward 

86 



IVAN 

The other gazing from the Avindow high 
In apprehension on the scene below. 

In swift confusion turned the youth to meet 

The sombre eyes in beauty on him fixed; 

In that affection calm and sweet he placed 

A loving hand upon the other's arm: 

''Ivan," he spoke as tenderly and clear 

As song of shepherd boy above the storm 

Which looms in terror o'er a summer sky: 

"The prisoners are below. Shall they remain 

Within that deep unhallowed cell of night 

To suffer in its dark and changeless gloom, 

To starving grow within that awful place 

Emaciated in the prison Avail 

As those who walk about the parapets 

In phantom shade and Aveird unholy light, 

Along the dim and winding corridors 

In lone and grewsome hours of the night? 

If so, their spirit forms perchance will greet 

Thee in such manner when thy solemn step 

Returneth from the war, victorious, 

Again to Oelmar's hall; and thou shalt find 

Below the gleaming skeletons enchained. 

"For thee my very life I would lay down 
So willinglj^, thy slightest wish obey 
And hasten gladly to perform. Command 
Whatever thou shalt wish, and it is done. 
I do not hesitate my friend to please. 
Upon thy heart I rest my weary head, 
Thou 'It not refuse thy little Percival 
One wish, so easily performed, so slight 

87 



IVAN 

That all thou hast to do the wish to grant 
My saddened heart to joy is let me take 
The golden and the iron keys which hang 
So heavily from thy sombre girdle broad 
And do with prisoners which they guard below 
In dungeon deep and lonely as the pit 
Of everlasting Hell what pleases most 
The heart of Catherine, the dearest will 
Of Adelaide so fair to look upon. 
Thy beauteous eyes with kisses I will close, 
The instruments of pain I take from thee, 
The cold and iron keys of prison deep." 

Almost unloosed the chain whereon the keys 

Hung heavily, almost a heart had won 

The battle raging in the air, unseen, 

When swift a vivid and appalling flash 

Of lightning rent, terrific, prominent. 

The gloom of night, and deafened was the voice 

Of Percival. The roar of thunder loud. 

Discordant, broke the spell. In fear he shrank 

Against the other close, who calm and cold 

As immovable ices of the frozen north 

Drew with impatient gesture from the embrace 

Of Percival ; with mighty oath exclaimed : 

**By all that's good, I will not loose to thee 

Those ministers of Hell in dungeon deep. 

For presumptuous falsehood shall they suffer there 

A martyr's death, and never be released 

Into such hands as thine, for thou wouldst heap 

But favor on their ignominious heads. 

In prison shall they languish until death, 

Or renouncing error be my vassalmen." 

88 



IVAN 

As hoarse as thunder's distant roar his tone, 

In anger deep as dread appalling night. 

His hatred of the prisoners had increased 

And darkly raged the sullen bitterness 

Of venom in his heart. He proudly stood 

Embodiment of night's ascending gloom. 

As struck by savage blow from hand beloved, 

The other stood in dim reflection of 

The vanished day's reluctant scarlet gleam; 

His beauteous eyes in disappointed woe 

Appeared in bright and stormy blue, and on 

His snowy face the crimson blushes played 

Of love rejected, pleading cast aside. 

In speechless grief he seemed a soul adrift 

Upon the raging sea of dark despair, 

To float forever on its solemn tide, 

As flower delicate and beautiful 

In storm of grief, in wild and lonely sea 

Of hopelessness, afar in tempest tossed 

Upon the dreary sobbing tide of woe. 

In quivering voice, as jangled minor bells 
Rang out amid the coming storm of eve. 
He wildly cried: "0 woe to stubborn heart! 
This night, unfaithful one, this very night 
From out thy castle gates a friend more true 
Than all the deep unending skies of blue 
Departs forevermore, and leaveth thee 
To rope and chain of angry demons such 
As in thy heart now rage, in wild despair, 
To iron chains more strong than those which bind 
The holy men, more galling to the mind 
And cruel to the heart; and even now 

89 



IVAN 

They cut as sword thy wounded soul and drive 
Thee on to deed more cruel and terrible 
Than ever rose within this haunted hall. 

shame upon thee for the sacrilege ! 
The inexcusable and maddened crime! 

1 have not dared reproach thee for the sin 
Till now, expecting by the hand of love 
To save thy foolish soul, to bring thee back 
Into the glorious hall of liberty. 

"But now all hope is gone, all joy for thee 
Is dead. Go proudly forth alone to war. 
From which thou 'It nevermore return to gaze 
In exultation o'er thy prisoners here; 
Thou 'It ne'er return to torture them again. 
Thou 'It never see thy mother's face, Ivan, 
Nor clasp with love the hand of Adelaide. 
The curse of God shall on thee blighting fall. 
And waste thy form to death, accursed one, 
And send thy soul rebellious to its Hell. 
shame on thee for leaving such a God ! 
And fighting in thy feeble strength against 
His holy will. Misguided simpleton, 
Dost thou not know that he could mighty strike 
Thee down, and as with brass asunder break 
The unavailing chain; could cleave thee as 
The sword of death strikes down the helpless one; 
Could shut thee up in prison house of woe 
Until is paid with grief and pain the least 
And penitential farthing thou dost owe. 

"0 strike me not, thou faithless one, accursed! 
The cross which I have worn in secret now 
Shall gleam above my heart, exposed in pride 

90 



IVAN 

Forevermore. I see thee shrink before 

Its calm and holy light, as Satan flees 

The sacred and protecting sign. How well 

It must, reminding thee of happier days 

When thou didst wear it o'er thy stainless heart 

And knelt before the altar where it gleamed, 

Recall to faithless heart the treasure sweet 

Which brought its peace to thee. Accursed thou 

For leaving such a God, a Friend so good 

Who ever gave to thee in mercy deep 

His boundless love. sacrilegious deed ! 

Imprisoning in a dungeon vile and deep 

His representatives upon the earth, 

Subjecting them to torture of the chain, 

Starvation and the river's fearful flow; 

To prison them within a gaol, perchance 

To be o'ereome with stormy tide and drowned. 

"To me a priest was ever holy and 
Devout, a chosen messenger of God, 
Above all other men, and of His love 
And boundless power, representative; 
Who holds within his hand the golden key 
Of Heaven and the darker one of Hell; 
Who bindeth where he will and looseth not 
The guilty king, the thief, the murderer, 
Nor any one who standeth stubborn, proud, 
Or high, and unrepentant of a crime; 
To be respected and revered; but thou 
Hast shown by service who thy master is. 
Could Judas have committed such a deed, 
Such black, appalling, sacrilegious sin ? 
Remorse for crime soon tore his faithless heart, 

91 



IVAN 

And when to death his Master was condemned 
In wild despair he threw the dreadful price 
Of Hakaldama ringing down upon 
The high priest's marble floor in scornful wrath 
And fled in woe unto a traitor's death. 

"But thou art cruelly hard as adamant, 
Realizing not that demon's hands are thine, 
That life destroying heart controls thine own, 
The power of the reign of Baalzebub. 
Farewell. In gloom below a deep-toned bell 
Tolls out the cold and unresponsive knell 
Of parting day, and sorrow desolate 
With solemn mystery clouds approaching night. 
Farewell, whom I have ever loved till now, 
When faithless furies rend thy traitor's heart 
And chain thy reason to the halls of earth. 
In blindness to the loathsomeness of death. 
But if in penitence thy heart should turn 
Again to God, and thy forsaken creed. 
Thou 'It find me in the halls of Altenstein." 
With one long look upon the other's face 
Which flamed in silence as the scarlet wave 
Below, in gloom, with frightful grief and woe, 
He strode from out the haunted hall and down 
The winding corridor, and from the walls. 
And left its master silent and alone; 

And with him fled the last uncertain gleam 
Of dying day beyond the rugged, dim 
And black ascending veiled mountain peak; 
And in his stead advanced the grewsome shade 
Of death, unfolding from its mystic shroud 

92 



IVAN 

The horror of the night, and loosing from 
The sable fold the spirits of its reign. 
With end of day the strife inspiring noise 
Of war, the muffled clang, the subdued cry 
Of armored men along the corridors 
Was hushed in ghostly solitude, 
And left its lord and master standing lone 
But for the deep and wild mysterious gloom 
That shrieking hung in silence o'er the scene. 
No sound but that of dull, tempestuous roar 
Of river mighty raging far beneath. 
Unseen in violence. A silence deep 
As death had fallen on the hall, and night's 
Unfathomed woe upon its solemn wall 
Enthroned sat as raven terrific. 

Alone to mortal's vision dim, but not 
Alone, for in the black, appalling air 
The scarlet form of mighty demon hung 
And angry raged in dark Satanic war, 
In frenzy tearing at the mortal's robe 
And striving with the fiendish thought of hate 
A restless mind to wreck and overthrow. 
Or swiftly to destroy the tottering throne 
Of reason high; to send a mortal soul 
In torture to the deepest pit of Hell. 
Upon the bloody floor, the ancient wall. 
The beam of window turretted and high 
It clung in frightful shape in loathing wild 
And shrieked aloud, discordantly and hoarse; 
Its writhing scarlet arm, the claw-like hand 
Extended, as a serpent coiled to spring 
Upon its unsuspecting prey, toward 

93 



IVAN 

The one who strode across the heavy floor 

And frowning strove to still a throbbing heart, 

In mind to calm a surging sea of wrath. 

From chapel door, along the corridor 

Which wound by many a sounding door there came 

In proud and solemn queenliness the form 

Of Catherine arrayed in sombre robe 

Of sable hue; a gleaming tear was seen 

To trembling course upon the snowy cheek, 

And fall in bitterness upon a hand 

Which glowing held a candle blessed for 

The stormy night. She paused and listening in 

The silence deep which rent the heavy air, 

Discerned the heavy sounding tread of one 

Who paced in woe the darkened council hall; 

Then hesitating not she hastened on 

By ghostly gleaming passageway until 

Before the quivering candle's holy flame, 

Uplifted high, the creatures of the night 

Were chased reluctantly and frowning wild 

From narrow passageway, the ancient wall, 

Through window turretted and high, and fled 

Before her steps as darkness from the light. 

Beside her form in stately silence moved 
The presence of a great archangel bright 
And holy as the flaming sword he drew, 
Extended in the ray of candle light. 
As white as snow which gleams in altitude 
Of dreamy high midsummer mountain peak 
His flowing robe, which parted half revealed 
The armored form of knight, reflecting gold 

94 



IVAN 

Of morning sun arising o'er the east. 
His face, his gentle hands, his armored feet, 
Were delicate and white as lily bloom 
Entrancing sweet which opens in the air 
Of morning o'er the hills of Paradise, 
And on his noble brow in power shone 
The diadem of stars in silvery light 
Entwined to signify his sovereign reign; 
But in his eyes as innocent and pure 
As dark mysterious ones of stainless youth, 
Who going forth to war in morn of life 
With smile of hope and step of purity, 
There shone the beauty of the seraphim. 

Before him wildly fled the demon's form 
To black and dread concealing night without, 
When Catherine deep in woe and silence paused 
Within the open door and gazed upon 
The haunted gloom of dark, oppressive hall. 
The angel's hand unseen and beautiful 
Was raised in benediction o'er the one 
Who frowning stood; descending from it shone 
A wondrous light, which, penetrating deep 
The restless mind, supported reason there 
And made it shine again with steady light, 
Restored in beauty that intelligence 
Which rises o'er the agony of time. 
In penitential mood he raised the hand 
Of Catherine then unto his scarlet lips 
And from her took the holy candle bright, 
Conducted her unto the sable throne 
Beneath a massive window iron barred 
Which rose toward the walls of Altenstein, 

95 



IVAN 

Revealed at intervals by vivid gleam 

Of lightning o'er the thunder's further crash. 

As groping blindly in the fearful gloom 
Catherine on the sable throne was seated high, 
She murmured low her heart to fortify: 
''To him who overcometh on the earth 
A crown of life shall be in Heaven fair; 
He with the Lord shall dwell eternally." 
Unto her son she whispered through the night : 
"I come again to plead in love with thee; 
Thou 'It not refuse again, beloved one. 
Remember, Ivan, who it was that brought 
Thee forth to happiness of life on earth. 
Sleep, unreturning, from my weary eyes 
Hath flown, and left in bitter doubt and woe 
My aged and restless heart which throbs anew 
In fear and pity for thy prisoners; 
And for their sake I suffered in a dream 
And found them servants of the highest God. 
What if they wear the foreign robe of priest 
Despised, to them a reverence is due. 

"Draw not away. I have a secret deep, 
But have revealed it not till now, in vain 
Believing that thy penetrating eye 
Within the fairer would discern the youth 
Who was thy friend, companion in the days 
Of childhood — Ferdinand, the brother of 
Sweet Adelaide. Be not amazed, for that 
I tell thee is the truth indeed; and now 
I do not even ask thee to release 
The holy men, or loose the galling chain 

96 



IVAN 

And send them free to walls of Altenstein 

Within its high and gleaming halls to dwell. 

Accord them but an opportunity 

To prove the truth of bold assertion made 

So publicly, that in the deepest Hell 

Reclines the soul of him, thy father's guide 

In matters of the faith, who strove with war 

To rule the hearts of men. Refuse me not. 

I am thy mother and command it now. 

Or nevermore, thy proud allegiance. 

Deny me this request and I will mourn 

For thee within the halls of Altenstein; 

Abjure the power of the golden ring 

Its subtle charm, I gave thee when a child." 

Afar through weird black night came dismal sound 

Of thunder rumbling hoarse and ominous 

In storm of night oncoming slowly down 

The river's winding way. In silence stood 

Ivan, pondering deeply o'er the solemn words 

His mother spoke, in calm, unbending mood. 

Before him rose the face and form of one 

Beloved in the days of long ago, 

The eyes of clearest blue of Ferdinand, 

His gentle face as beautiful and pure 

As whitest petal of a lily resting on 

An altar of his God omnipotent; 

His youthful face with bright undying hope 

Transformed in light, as dewdrops change and glow 

Impearled upon the whitest rose that blooms 

Unfading in the courts of Paradise. 

That face had lately gazed on him in love. 

Unrecognized within the form of priest, 

97 



IVAN 

Whose gentle mien, humility and love 
Had but increased his hatred, bitter, deep. 

No word he spoke, but drew a silver horn 

And blew upon it loud, echoing note, 

Which fainter grew and weird, resounding down 

The winding corridors. A servitor 

Responded to his call and hastening fell 

On bended knee in dark and armored might. 

"Bright lights!" the master cried, "disperse the 

gloom, 
And bid the keeper of the dungeon deep 
Bring up his proud, rebellious prisoners now. 
To-night they shall be tried within the hall. 
When storm of warring elements contend. 
Let Him they serve their only refuge be. 
I swear they never shall go hence until 
Is proven to the lord of Oelmar and 
His vassals here assembled blackest lie 
That ever rose to lips incarnate on 
The burning earth ; or die the foulest death 
Within the darkest cell of punishment. 
I'll brook no scorn, nor opposition to 
The will inherited from him who lies 
Within the white sarcophagus above." 

To Catherine who was sitting on the throne 

Of ebon, blown by dread increasing air 

Of thunder-storm, it seemed the quivering light 

Of candles borne along the corridor 

And shaded by the hand of servitor 

Increased the gloom, the mystery which hung 

Upon the atmosphere of council hall. 

98 



IVAN 

As heavily she leaned upon a hand 
In woe a pale and throbbing brow, it seemed 
The Heavens fought in battle for the soul 
Of Ivan, who was striding up and down 
Before the sable throne. In speechless mood 
He gazed upon the oaken floor, as though 
To penetrate with dark and glowing eye 
Its black material to prison deep, 
Where bended low in silent gloom of chain. 
Imprisoned by the iron bar of pain, 
Two captives lay within the solitude 
And fear of flooded river which arose 
So dark and wild above its winter bank. 
And dashed in fury through the grating of 
The arched window high within the wall. 

As up the winding stairs from prison dark 
The keeper drove with curse the holy charge 
A stormy wind of night into the hall 
Came howling as a wolf which angry seeks 
The helpless prey, and fiercely overthrew 
In golden candlestick a quivering light. 
Which dying fell upon the oaken floor; 
And made the others wildly leap as though 
By demon hand encircled in a spell 
Of terror undefined. Dark overhead 
In angry sky a low and warning peal 
Of thunder broke in dull tempestuous roar 
Above a wrack of clouds in fury blown 
Unto the east, as though the chariot 
Of Woden rolled above the elements, 
And hoarse the trumpet call resounded on 
The circling air, advancing in a storm 

99 



IVA!T 

Of battle imminent; while on the dull 
And rocky shore beside the castle wall 
The angry torrent beat of river wide 
And high that shook the ancient, mighty hall 
In warning of its violent despair. 

''Your wizard spell, your necromancy deep 
Begin, thou charlatan of hellish night, 
And prove to me that Leader is in Hell, 
Or by this sword the blood shall satisfy 
For that insult the scarlet lie proclaimed 
To vassalmen within my honored state. 
Call up from Hell, from that consuming pit 
What thou hast said is there, the soul of him 
Who strove against the cursed Emperor, 
The master of the gate which opens to 
But those who bow in ignorance before 
The invisible and uncreated throne. 
Present his soul to me, thou madman, priest, 
Bring forth the man from out his charnal place, 
Produce from dark and narrow house the form, 
What thou dost call the soul, of Leader strong; 
His countenance from immaterial 
Exhume in that which tangible is seen, 
And even though in chains forever thou 
Deservest but to lie, I swear that forth 
From castle gate a freeman thou shalt fare." 

Cajetan stood in silence of the God 
Above, who bendeth o'er the angry earth 
In might supreme, and fearless heard the threat 
Of death, invective bitter, raging hurled 
Upon his wintry head. Intent he gazed 

100 



IVAN 

With eye mysterious upon the face 
Of Catherine, who had clasped in anguish wild 
Her trembling hands of white in voiceless prayer, 
Which rose from silent lips to glowing throne 
Of Him who mighty rules above the dread, 
The darkened fortresses of earth. He turned 
In gloom toward the candles' quivering light, 
While dark and low upon the oaken floor. 
In shade of ebon throne his brother knelt 
Below the blanched face of Catherine. 
Above him shone in light invisible 
And wondrous fair the angel with a sword 
Of golden hue, protecting with his might 
The servitors of God. His face was calm 
And sweet, reflecting confidence of that 
Omnipotent o'er all the stormy earth, 
But on its light a shade of sorrow fell 
For wicked one, for man's ingratitude. 

As low upon the night in solemn voice 

And dread, Cajetan slowly, dark, began 

An exorcism awful, deep, and wild, 

A fear upon the heart of Catherine fell. 

Descended as a sombre cloud upon 

The terror of the night. Increasing blew. 

In weird accompaniment, the stormy air 

With low and mournful shriek as though a soul 

Condemned to death was on its circling flow. 

A peal of thunder broke in fury loud 

Above the hall; afar the draw with clang 

Across the sullen moat in answer fell 

With frightful noise, and open flew the gate 

Of iron to the air. Again a flash 

101 



IVAN 

Of blinding light descended on the wall 
And dashing played along the buttresses, 
Amid tempestuous roar of thunder's voice, 
Of wild and rapid flow of river deep. 
The portals from the wall resounding fell; 
In fear the warriors fled into the hall 
And crouched beneath its throne in aAvful fear; 
But proudly stood Ivan alone and tall, 
Unmoved within the storm of havoc wrought. 

Again the crashing peal of thunder rent 

The air and shook with reverberating noise 

Foundations of the earth, and mingled with 

Its mighty noise a hideous clamor came 

Along the corridor, of iron chain. 

The ambling tread of strange uncanny beast. 

Which to the hearts of those who fearful knelt 

In torture seemed the very sound of Hell 

Upon the shrieking night. It entered as 

A wolf, as black and horrible as sin, 

A hideous wolf, and stood with flaming eye 

Transfixing all who screamed in agony. 

But vain the frenzied cry of vassalmen. 

Consumed by howling noise of elements; 

The hateful beast advanced in silence grim, 

And on its sloping back a fettered soul 

In pain and torture lay. The face was scarred 

By flame of fire which burneth evermore. 

The twisted hands were rent by chain that binds 

Eternally the soul in deepest Hell, 

And from its bosom sprang sulphureous flame 

Of bitter woe, unending, deep remorse. 

102 



IVAN 

' ' Who art thon ? ' ' The voice of dark Cajetan rang 

In triumph o'er the sound of thunder crash. 

"Leader!" A voice in deep sepulchral tone 

Replied as though it came from frightful deep 

Of Hell below. ''And where art thou condemned?" 

Again commanded solemnly the priest. 

''I suffer in the depths unending pain 

Which gnaweth as a fiery worm the heart — 

Because I broke my vows, and was to God 

On earth untrue, resisted every grace. 

The pain by little Madeline endured. 

And heresy proclaimed, I suffer in 

The deepest pit of Hell f orevermore. " 

As some wild wind which blows in desert place 

And weird upon the night, his moaning voice 

Ceased with a sob of pain. "It is sufficient," 

Ivan cried, commanding: "Hideous wolf, 

If thou art Satan fly before the cross 

Which gleams above." A blinding flash of light, 

A sharp, terrific peal of thunder rent 

The murky air, the caudles by the wind 

In dread confusion blown, extingiiished fell, 

And from the mortal eye the wolf returned 

With him he bore into the pit of Hell. 

There was a noise of feet advancing to 
And fro, and loud there rose a mighty clash 
Of armored vassalmen; and when again 
The light of candles weirdly gleamed upon 
The heavy air a thick sulphureous cloud 
In circles scarlet red descending hung. 
Within its dark and hellish glow arose 
Catherine then and stood in queenly might upon 

103 



IVAN 

The castle throne, extending snowy hands 

In speechless agony toward her son, 

Who stubborn in defeat, with angry voice 

And frenzied cried unto the holy men: 

"Go from these gates to-night, for thou art free. 

Stand not and pray, but go immediately. 

Thy pleading for my soul is useless now. 

For in my father's steps, departing to 

The war, I follow him to death, and if 

He be in Hell, that place shall welcome me." 

Departing thus he turned and darkly strode 

From out the hall. Alone stood Catherine then, 

But saved from death her deeply wakened soul. 



104 



"Thou dark aud all destroying castle tomb, 
Farewell. Thou woeful black and maddening walls 
That raven haunted o'er my fancy loom, 
With circling towers rude and high against 
The gloom of pale and ghostly crescent moon 
Which hangs above in mocking silence high, 
And gleams in coldness down upon the earth 
Through dreary mists that ever I'ise to wrap 
In deep oppressive horror's cloud the still 
Increasing deadly terror of thy halls. 
Thou ceilinged low and winding corridors, 
Appalling black, with mazes intricate 
And leading all astray; where circling bats 
In myriads rise, infest the frightful air 
And cry as poisoned demons writhing in 
The pit of dark, oppressive heat. Farewell, 
Thou dungeon filled with mire and death below, 
Thou deep and hidden pool of torture black 
And cruel pain; thou sacrilegious pit 
Of malice and of crime; destructive net 
Which subtly has enmeshed habiliments 
Of hope and mystery, that which lures within 
Thy hand the unsuspecting ones to death. 

''Thou Babylonish hall wherein the harp 
Hangs sadly mute and cold, in harmony 
Untouched, or weeps discordantly when struck 
By careless hand. Thou trembling walls that built 

105 



IVAN 

But on the ebang-ing sands of river's wild, 
Tempestuous flood are crumbling in the night 
And ready now to fall; confusion's blight 
Encompassed thee, conception of a mind 
Misguided, such as once the circling plan 
Of Babel high designed, and strove to build 
With stone a path to God within the sky. 
In strange presumption thou, fanatic, weird, 
Upholdest spire material to Him, 
Who disapproving sends confusion's mist 
To hamper thee: unfailing sign of woe 
And error's gloomy reign. How long will He 
In mercy let thee stand so proudly there 
Against His will. Until the raging floods 
Envelop thee; or rather will He hurl 
Destruction swift and terrible as rain 
Of deadly fire and brimstone merciless 
From wild and flaming sky overhead, to drive 
Thy dwellers to a knowledge of the right. 

"To thee I came one well remembered day 
So many years ago it seems the cloud- 
Veiled sun hath lit the days unchanging gloom 
Through countless years. I sadly came a bride 
To circling Oelmar's high and solemn hall. 
heartless wall, my beauty thou'st consumed 
And left no recompense : — Disordered mind 
And whitened hair which leaves no doubt of pain, 
A widowed heart which cries again to thee 
For days when childhood happiness o'erspread 
A tranquil sky of calm, celestial blue — 
Is all I have. Give back the joy which thou 
Hast stolen from my heart, the perfect peace 

106 



IVAN 

Of which my soul was robbed in cruelty, 
The lonely hours sped renew with light; 
Give back the hope I brought with solemn tear 
Into thy black, appalling corridors 
That I could please my God with worship strange 
And cold, as heartless as the river wide 
Which rushes by the low and trembling wall. 

"I cannot weep o'er thee, for long ago 

My allotted bitter flow of tears hath ceased, 

And now I gladly stand with smile upon 

A hollowed face, with hope awaking in 

A tortured heart — 'Tis all I have to give 

To thee, returning all thy dread disdain 

In spirit kindly, for in thy hall was born 

Ivan, my child, my only one, so tall 

And wondrous fair and proudly beautiful. 

My consolation in the weary years 

Which rolled so leadenly within a way 

Deserted, barren in its grief. My son 

Who now has gone to death, unto the war, 

Parental care unheeding in his pride; 

The child who knew no other home than this, 

Who wandered sadly in thy corridors 

And strove to clasp within his little hand 

The pale, mysterious beam of ghostly moon 

Which low, inconstant, gleamed upon the floor 

From off the ramparts tall, as it doth now. 

''Farewell, the dawn is near, the eastern sky 
With dimly red and faint distinguished fire 
Now glows afar; the ghostly moon with pale 
And mocking gleam has vanished in affright 

107 



IVAN 

Beyond the rugged prominence of peak 
Which mighty looms in dread protection o'er 
The wasted realm. The deadly mist of morn 
Now creeps in chilly cloud upon the walls 
And strangely glowing hides thy scornful gloom. 

trembling draw, o'er dark and haunted moat, 
Let fall thy stubborn chain — the bridge of fear. 
Beyond thee all is weirdly strange and cold. 

1 hesitate to plunge within its mystery deep, 
But in thy jurisdiction all is woe 

And fear and pain. But through the fading night 
A calm protecting hand doth surely guide 
My weary steps to higher throne of light 
O'er dark tempestuous waters flowing deep. 
Farewell, thou madman's dwelling place, farewell. 
Farewell forevermore, for through this black 
Unanswering night my faltering steps and slow 
Shall nevermore return to thee. Farewell. 

"Thou raven's nest, thou haunted den of fear. 

Of creatures strange, unseen with mortal eye, 

That ever cling about this mourning form 

And strive to drag it down into the depths 

Of frightful pain; no more in thee shall dwell 

The heart, which disobedient is cursed 

By frantic storm of doubt and raging flood 

Of death which cries and sweeps with awful sound 

About thy crumbling dark, divided walls 

Which rude and high have trembled in the storm. 

Sweet friends, support my weak and faltering steps. 

For now it seems that dreadful claw-like hands 

Invisible, reach out from horror's gate 

To draw me back again into that place 

108 



IVAN 

Of endless doubt and suffering in the night; 
And in the way a black, repulsive cloud 
Of fear issuing out the slimy depths 
Of waters in the moat ascends to wrap 
My form within its cold and deadly gloom. 
Thou messengers of hope and mystery, now 
Support and swiftly guide my faltering steps 
To thy abode, where I may ever dwell 
With Heaven's holy peace upon my heart. 

''As one who sees a serpent coiled to spring, 
In subtle fury hid beneath the way, 
Its glittering eye, its countenance upon 
The treasure of the heart, a golden bird 
From prison bar escaped, where it was loved, 
And flown away beyond the reach of hand. 
Beyond the broken voice in danger wild. 
Into the serpent's deadly charm of death. 
Where now it flits in strange, uncanny spell 
Above a very demon incarnate; 
So I have stood and watched in agony. 
In breathless silence seen the tempter weave 
Its hideous snare about the soul of one 
Within my heart, the flower of my life. 
In vain I shriek, as madman o'er the brink 
Of cliff precipitous, where coldly shines 
In fear the moon o'er regions desolate; 
My warning cry is vain; it cannot break 
The spell of death which binds my little one. 

''I know how imminent the languor lies; 

For others in its desecrating spell 

Have fluttered down to death before my feet. 

109 



IVAN 

I saw them fall to death. Useless they cried 
To me with pallid face for aid, through mist 
Of demon 's subtle breath, which veiled the end 
But now above the form of serpent hangs 
The dearest of my heart, in dreaming swings 
And heedless in the spell of hideous death. 
must the grief which as a dagger rends 
Be on my wild and suffocating heart. 

God ! Is there no subtle way to loose 
My little one; and must I helpless stand 

As though involved within the deadly charm, 
And gaze in madness on the spell of death. 
Could ever Hell contain such punishment. 
Or demon's mind the torture could devise 
Which now o'erwhelms the mind, the broken heart, 
And frenzied breaks in wild tempestuous pain 
As storm upon the shore of rocky isle ? 

''No longer can I bear the sacrilege; 
The charm which binds the treasure of my heart, 
The child I love, so pure and beautiful. 
So fair and white in youth and innocence. 
O'er whom the angels smiled in beauty down 
And stretch protecting hands in golden light. 
Now! From my hands the binding links are free, 
And from this house, this raven haunted hall, 
My life shall go, returning nevermore. 
For him I go to pray, for him my heart 
Unceasingly will cry before the throne 
Exalted in the hall of Altenstein — 
Delightful home, where ever as a child 

1 wandered in the light. There will I plead 
Before the mighty place for treasure of 

110 



IVAN 

My broken heart, will pray that demon spell 
Of Satan may be broken in the might 
Of angels o'er him set to guard his feet, 
By sword of light will break the charm and save 
His treasured soul from out the gates of Hell." 



Ill 



XI 



Soft o'er the summer sky an azure mist 

In tranquil beauty rose and seemed to drift 

As dreamy as a cloud of Paradise, 

Ascending through the golden light of sun 

From portals of the peaceful evening time; 

In twilight's holy spell descending as 

A veil upon the high and mystic walls 

Of Altenstein, and wrapped the solemn scene 

In glory of the reign of solitude. 

The marble stairs descended wide and white 

To river brink in garden fair and green 

Where shone the stately trees against the sky 

About a silvery fountain dull and blue, 

Which seemed a chalice gloAving high upon 

A brazier by its seven pillars low 

Supported solidly, that darkly red 

Issued from circling base of sombre stone 

Which rose from out the waters green beneath, 

Where lilies grew upon a surface moved 

By rippling waters from above, o'erflowing 

Brazier in a music low and sweet 

And mystic beauty of the dying day. 

Arovind it stood in semi-circle high 
A marble wall o 'ergrown with ivy vine 
Which green arose in clinging fashion from 
The sombre earth; and in the circling wall 
At intervals appeared an alcove high 

112 



IVAN 

As though it was the door of silent tomb 

Sealed up and scarce discerned beneath the vine. 

On pedestal above each alcove high, 

In stately marble urn there waving grew 

The southern palm; and softly evergreen 

Of stature low and circling stood before 

The ending of the wall, in solemn hue 

So delicate it nearly seemed a blue 

Of strange celestial tint transmuted in 

The fading atmosphere of dreamy earth. 

Beside the entrance grew against the wall, 

Which unobstriicted gleamed in snowy white, 

The rushes green from out the glowing south 

That gave Egyptian tone to all the scene, 

As though it sweetly shone in quiet far 

Within the clime where islands of the sea 

Arise in tropics beautiful and green 

And warm beside the wave, a paradise 

Of strange forgotten dream of long ago. 

A seraph fair encircled in the fold 

Of dark, descending robe in beauty stood 

Beside the rushes green and high, and seemed 

The embodiment of that entrancing spell 

Which hung in silence of the tomb about 

The solemn scene, and gave to it a joy, 

A tranquil peace, as though the quiet end 

Of life had come, and soul of mortal lay 

In solemn state arrayed, awaiting but 

The hand of angel messengers to bear 

It far away beyond the evening sky. 

His eyes were dark and pure, reflecting light 

Of holy youth, alone and innocent, 

113 



IVAN 

In beauty of the realm of Israel; 
A halo glorious about his head 
Shone in the fragrant air as lily pure 
And white above the waters dusky, green, 
And troubled in the fountain dark and weird, 
Beneath the columns red. Invisible 
To mortal eye his light angelic form. 

With gTaeeful hand a silvery lute was held 

To lips so ravishing, so heavenly pure, 

That to the notes which fell seraphic sweet 

As snowy petals of exquisite bloom 

In early hour of the morning down 

On grasses cool and green beside the sea 

Afar, impearled by soft and silvery dew. 

The waters of the well in music low, 

In rippling sweet accompaniment as though 

From angel's heart a mystic minor strain 

Was poured, descended with enraptured joy 

From out the chalice high and smiling fell 

Reluctantly into the lily pool. 

To drift upon its tide forevermore 

Away from voice of bright adored one. 

So wildly strange and sweet the spell which hung 

About his form, so ravishing the note 

Of trembling lute upheld to smiling lips 

Of light pomegranate hue of purity, 

That those who might behold the seraph form 

Of Raphael would in delicious dream 

His beauty rare consume, and charmed fall 

In deathless sleep before him, waking not 

Until the wondrous strain had died away. 



114 



IVAN 

So, faintly to the ear of mortal fell 

His music sweet, pervading all the air 

Of gentle summertime and mingled with 

The evening sky in golden radiance, 

Which shone beyond the grey of misty cloud, 

Descending o'er the earth in quietude. 

With solemn step of joy and wondrous air 

Of holy peace, within the garden fair 

Of Altenstein, at quiet eventide. 

In solitude, serenely Catherine came 

In robe of shining hue, the mystic scene 

Possessed, in search of meditation deep. 

Expressing happiness and peace of heart 

In every stately movement of a queen. 

She gazed unto the west with radiant eye 

And dark, as one who sees within a dream 

The glowing mansions of the Heavens fair 

And those who dwell therein. She slowly bent 

Above a fragrant lily blooming white 

Amid the foliage green, the depths below 

Where shadows of the night in mystery seemed 

To darkly dwell. With peaceful mind she heard 

The minor strain of sadness falling down 

In low accompaniment to music faint 

Descending from the lute of Raphael. 

''How pure and white, thou lily blooming fair 

And innocent above the waters flow, 

As radiant as the form of mortal soul 

At morning cleansed from every stain of sin 

By holy sacrament of love divine. 

Thou hearest every strain of music sweet 

Within the air; thou art as different from 

115 



IVAN 

The sombre stone, the waters dark beneath, 

As mortal soul that's purified and free 

From its appalling state of former time; 

Now filled with wondrous grace descending from 

The courts above. How lovely is the place, 

And silent in its peace, how rapturous sweet 

In all its joy ! let me ever dwell 

In this delightful state which seems to be 

A paradise compared to storm that's past; 

And let me ever walk in this transcendent light 

Which fills my glowing heart with deeper love 

For Him, adored, who makes it so; for Him 

Who saw the woe of poor misguided heart, 

And in His pity held a loving hand 

To rescue me from endless death, to gain 

The holy pledge of sweet eternal life. 

''I've passed into the garden of my King, 
Again to bow before His majesty 
In adoration sweet. How glorious 
To dwell again within the sacred walls 
Of purity, the ancient holy halls 
Seraphic fair and full of glowing peace. 
So must the prodigal when he returned 
Unto his father's house have felt secure; 
So must his faint and weary heart so long 
Within a desert bare have leaped to find 
Again affection's taper burning bright. 
How grateful was he then, when on his hand 
The signet ring of restoration gleamed. 
When o'er his cleansed form a mantle white 
Was flowing placed, and to a banquet sweet 
With reverence he came; how deeply felt 

116 



IVAN 

Within his poor and weeping heart the joy 

Which filled it then — Restored to former state 

Of joy and innocence, uplifted from 

The mire, as lily pure and white which glows 

Beneath my hand, he scarcely realized 

The Heavenly joy which welcomed his return. 

''Now is my burden laid beneath the cross, 

Down at the feet of Him who suffered there, 

And I in love adore Him evermore, 

Who rescued me from out the realms of night, 

Exalted me, most unworthy one, 

To this delightful state of perfect peace. 

He hath restored to me the innocence 

Of childhood's day, and given holy joy 

Entrancing sweet which fills my glowing heart 

With strange desire to worship in the courts 

Of Paradise the One who honors me. 

No more I sigh to drink from cooling well. 

No more unheard in deep and fervent prayer. 

He promised me, most exquisite joy, 

Those whom I love, in Heaven will be saved. 

My Ivan shall return to Him, shall come 

To me in Heaven fair, as pure as when 

He fondly stood beside his mother's knee 

In days of purity. He shall return 

To house of God. rapturous joy complete ; 

He promised mo, and promises will keep, 

Hath spoken it and never will repent." 

As darker grew the sky, descending fled 

The western light before the soft approach 

Of calm and regal night which queenly wrapped 

117 



IVAN 

In mystic veil the heavenly scene below, 
Eiihancing it with gleam of holy light; 
And high in unseen spire of castle white 
And glowing fair, a deep-toned joyous bell 
Pealed forth the solemn knell of ending day 
O'er twilight's peaceful hour descended on 
The castle walls, and night's ascending reign 
Confirmed in sway o'er far and dreamy earth. 
It rang as though the hand of angel white 
And heavenly strong gave voice to angelus bell 
And chanted in a measure exquisite 
Upon the sky. Surrounded by the peace 
Of perfect love in glowing heart and mind. 
Reclining on the brink of fountain deep 
That rippled cool, and bending gently down 
O'er lily white, in silence Catherine was 
As strangely beautiful as mother seems 
To those who wandering in an exile drear 
Her memorj' treasures, in the time of youth. 

More sweet the soi;nd of strange seraphic lute 

Descended as the golden light afar 

Fled softly down the west and left the hand 

Of regal night to draw its curtain down 

O'er tranquil garden high of Altenstein; 

And softly to exquisite blue the robe 

Of seraph changed, as silvery sky adorns 

With glowing stars its robe of azure deep. 

His graceful hand as marble's solemn white 

More brightly gleamed, and round his seraph form 

The haloes shone. His eyes were wildly sweet; 

His lute a clear and silvery bar which brought 

From Heaven down a wondrous rhapsody. 

118 



IVAN 

He sang of joy unknown to mortal's heart; 
And as the entrancing notes upon the air 
In beauty fell, he smiled a seraph smile, 
Extending snowy hand in rhythm fleet 
To the mystic air of rippling water song, 
By fragrant lilies blown, midsummer wind. 
By snowy marble wall and rushes down 
Which bent in joy to touch his seraph form. 

As trembling star that shone within the west, 

Arising suddenly from out the weird 

And changing mist, to shine in glory on 

The scene of deeper mystery, there to light 

Its growing gloom in beauty strange and wild. 

On marble terraces descending fleet 

From out the spacious, high, and holy hall, 

In robe of blue as that of seraphim, 

A glowing band about her golden hair, 

Cornelia came as fair, as innocent 

As Raphael, who gazed in wonder on 

Her beauty rare, and saw the dreamy eyes 

As glorious as his own, expectant, sweet 

In rapture gaze upon the holy scene 

By mystic night revealed. Unseen, the form 

Of Catherine was beneath the fountain high, 

Before the pillars glowing red which caught 

Reflection beauteous from golden hair. 

And harmonized in all the scene complete. 

Cornelia paused beside the rushes green 
Against the glowing wall, as grasses of 
The mystic Nile, in waters flowing sweet 
By strange Egyptian palaces obscured 

119 



IVAN 

A little child of Israel in days 

Of long- ago. Before her shone the star 

In smiling beauty down, above her stood 

The seraph form of glorious Raphael 

Upon a hidden pedestal beneath 

The rushes green, whose mantle radiant 

Of purest blue seemed mingling with the robe 

Of fair enraptured child. Cornelia heard 

His song, entrancing notes that seeming words 

Upon the fragrant air descended down; 

Which seemed to sink within the waters deep 

Of fountain glowing green, to mingle with 

Its rippling flood of minor melody. 

Transforming grief into a perfect joy: 

"For Ivan pray, that he from endless death 

In mercy be released: for Ivan pray." 



120 



XII 



Fiirions the battle's dread onslaught and Avild, 
Where armed man met armed man upon 
A low and barren mound which darkly rose 
Above a marsh o'ershaded by the gloom 
Of dread destructive fume of civil war, 
Where dimly grew the lily leaf of green, 
T!ie blossom white above the poisoned flood. 
Thick willows, bending down overburdened by 
The summer vine that drooping hung and trailed 
Upon the waters' slime, grew as a screen 
To hide the low and secret dwelling place 
Of serpent black which coiled lay with eye 
Half closed, repulsive in a watchfulness. 
To swiftly spring upon the heedless prey, 
In frightful death devouring helpless one 
Who came that way. Beyond the lowly marsh 
The ancient, miglity forest lay beneath 
A dark and clouded sky o'erhung by woe 
Of battle's low descending holocaust. 
The very gnarled trunk and broken limb 
Of raven haunted tree in horror seemed 
To madly shriek amid the frightful noise 
Of frenzied battle roar upon the hill 
Which bloody loomed above the coming night. 

The chains of might were struck from off the hand, 
And, torch destroying, war in fury raged 
As madman o'er the realm, enwrapping with 

121 



IVAN 

The mystic shroud of red a scarlet host 

Of mortals lying in the throes of death; 

Of force opposing force within the sound 

Of cannon's solemn roar, the ringing clash 

Of bright and cleaving sword, metallic, with 

Heartrending shriek of deadly wounded man, 

Sepulchral groans of those amid the slain, 

Upon their bloody brows the dew of death, 

Their gasping breath as wind through strangled reed. 

Their piteous eyes in glazed agony 

Upturned toward the sky as those who see 

In pain the charmed halls of death and Hell. 

With bursting shell, o'erstrewn upon a field 

Of riven stone, with cry of wovinded steed 

And suffocating fires terrific hue, 

In clouds of deadly smoke which leaping grew 

In volume dread, prophetic, weird, the strife 

In fury raged, and demons fought with men 

The earthly throne of God to overthrow. 

Why do the heathen rage so madly o'er 

The desecrated land, by famine torn. 

In wild destructive war involving all 

The nations in their frenzied battle strife*? 

What demon's thought arising in the mind 

Barbaric makes the very sky grow dim 

With shadow of despair? What armies come 

Arrayed with swoi*d and helmet of the night. 

Habiliments of death and deeper woe. 

Destroying now, they seek on earth in vain 

To overthrow the mighty throne of God. 

They fill the depths of Hell with prisoners bound, 

Too late repentant of an awful deed 

122 



IVAN 

Remembered black; too late in agony 

Uplifting to the sky a bloody hand 

Or supplicating eye in madness lit. 

What horror for the soul that wrapped in death 

Descends forevermore in fiery sea, 

As though a mighty stone in galling pain 

Was heavy bound securely with a chain 

About the writhing neck, and dragged it down 

To endless death. The terrifying shrieks 

Too late, the soul's confined forever in 

The chasm of a deep and fiery sea. 

Above the battle field, as though on bough 
Of dark and trembling cedar tall that rose 
In deep solemnity beside the marsh. 
Saint Michael stood arrayed in armor bright 
Which shone upon the gloom as sunlight o'er 
The heavy clouds, and scattered with a ray 
Satanic hosts of night, with skillful hand 
And swift, directing all the splendid host 
Of angels bright who hovered o'er the din 
And fought with demon horde arising from 
The frantic earth. Where e'er a golden cross 
Emblazoned on the green of armored knight 
Or peasant soldier shone, and where a plume 
Of snowy hue upon an emerald crest 
Floated, the emblem of his purity, 
Above a holy angel hung and fought 
With mighty strength a demon shade of night 
Which clung in enmity to crossless, black 
And frenzied adversaries of the right; 
And bore the souls of faithful to the skies 
As solemnly as bier of stately king 
Is borne to marble gleaming halls of rest. 

123 



IVAN 

From out the rolling cloud, terrific, black. 

The battle's dim and indistinguished form, 

An emerald armored knight with golden cross 

Emblazoned on his shield, with helmet plume 

Adorned, of glowing white, was driven back 

And slowly downward by the enemy 

Unto the dangerous marsh. The snow-white foam 

Was tiying from his charger's mouth, who curbed 

With iron bit was frantic in his fear, 

And fought with valiant hoof and bloody teeth 

For victory, his master's life to save. 

But wearied seemed the armored hand, in vain 

Equestrian might, for backward, ever down 

Unto the treacherous march the helpless knight 

Was driven by a score of horsemen black, 

A solid wall before the armored twain. 

One sword of blessed steel with many clashed, 

Which by a skillful hand was wielded in 

The confidence of right, protected with 

Its might amid the flashing fire of steel, 

Created spark, its owner's precious life. 

At length upon the marshy ground beneath 

The darksome cedar tree, the uneven fray 

Seemed nearing to a fatal end for him 

Who strove in hopeless might against the horde 

Which overpowered him; and stood at bay 

Until his hand should stricken fall in death. 

Behind him lay the deep, o'ershaded marsh, 

Wherein a grave with shroud of water weed 

Was ready for his fair and youthful form. 

Which sword-transfixed should fall into the slime. 

But Michael saw with calm and pitying eye 

124 



IVAN 

The woeful plight of him who bravely fought 
Beneath his light, and bent with loving hand 
His golden gleaming sword until it touched 
The cross emblazoned on the shield below. 
Then swift as shades in equatorial lands 
Descend at close of day, a sable knight 
Emerged from out the cloud, the deafening roar 
Of battle's mad onslaught, appalling in 
Its frightful clash, and speedily as wind 
Rode swiftly ominous to rescue from 
His own death-dealing men an enemy. 

His ringing sword a pathway cleaved through 

The horde of night until he stood before 

The reeling form of Pereival, who turned 

Disdainfully and raised a flaming sword. 

But let it fall when in the other's mien 

No sign of hate was seen, but friendship, love. 

Then swift before his martial fury fled 

The Avarriors in a consternation wild, 

Before their chieftain's sable, solemn might. 

Surprised at his advent, and fearful of 

Avenging Avrath which burned in silence deep; 

Save one who hurled in frenzied hate a spear 

At cross emblazoned on the bosom pure 

Of Pereival, who in disdain let fall 

His glowing shield. But swift the sable knight 

Reached forth an arm to stay the instrument 

Of death upon his dark and bloody shield. 

It struck the steel, but glancing slipped and pierced 

The mail. It reached his heart. He reeled and fell 

From off Arabian steed, and heavily down 

Upon the marsh's low and sodden green, 

With sickening sound, despairing cry of pain. 

125 



IVAN 

The other sat astonished, gazing down 
Upon the dark and straight extended form, 
Upon the fallen shield, the face thereon. 
The strong and stalwart arm, now motionless 
And still. He gazed upon the throbbing breast 
And saw the venomed spear imprisoned there. 
Where at each breath a stream of scarlet blood 
Issued and darkly stained the sombre robe 
Of dark and fallen knight; then swiftly sprang 
From off his light and trembling steed and knelt 
Beside the one who lay expiring there. 
In gentleness he raised the helpless form 
And strove in fear to stay the scarlet tide 
Which slowly stained his robe and flowing down 
Made pools of red upon the sodden earth 
And crimson dyed the lilies blooming there. 
In tenderness he kissed the brow of white. 
And gazing fondly down with sight half dimmed 
By flowing tears saw gleaming palely bright 
The beauteous face of Ivan growing calm 
And rigid in the bloodless hue of death. 

Before Saint Michael's arm the enemy 

In fear shrank back, as clouds of night before 

The sun's bright ray, and in confusion fled. 

What time their mighty chieftain fell, struck down 

By traitorous hand of frenzied warrior. 

Far through the clouded air the demons sped 

In fear, with hideous shriek and howling to 

Their dread abode on icy rock as sharp 

As broken glass, where sombre iron door 

Reveals the northern pole, the opening deep 

To Hella's realm below the crusted earth; 

126 



IVAN 

While those who bore the bright and golden cross 

Opposing man on earth in terror chased 

Headlong o'er the plain, who paused not 

In fear to turn and gaze upon the far 

And bloody field where comrades dying lay, 

But fled in scattered horde the enemy 

To swiftly 'scape. The victory was with right, 

The followers of night were driven by 

The winds to region desolate and bare 

In solitude of forest's sable gloom. 

Afar in sunset sky of scarlet hue 

Saint Michael saw the spires of Altenstein 

In solemn, high, and deep prophetic woe 

Arise above the cloud, on which there shone 

A gleaming cross of gold, emblazoned on 

The azure sky; as with a snowy throng 

And chanting loud the triumph of the right 

He soon returning came to bear 

From bloody field the souls of dying men. 

But swiftly high on golden ray of cross 

Descending from the spires of .Altenstein 

A white robed angel came with solemn sound 

Of far and faintly tolling angelus bell. 

The voice of Madeline, the holy one, 

As beauteous as a rose of early morn. 

Came through the evening light to Michael down 

And bade him haste to solemn cedar tall 

Where demons of the forest and the marsh 

Were striving in their wicked might to gain 

The deathless soul of him who lay so fair 

And white in penitence upon the green. 



127 



IVAN 

From out the marsh's depth a thousand hands 

Of demons seemed to reach for precious soul 

Of him who lay so near. Discordant, hoarse, 

Their voices came in wild, derisive hate 

Against the change in his repenting heart. 

But round the dying one, descending swift 

The angels circled in a barrier high 

Of heavenly radiance against the sound 

And sight of wickedness. The glorious Prince 

Of angels stood in triumph o'er the one 

Whose life was slowly ebbing to its close. 

He touched the emerald knight with golden hand, 

Who murmured solemnly in tones of fear, 

And softly in a sobbing voice, as those 

Who mourn, bereft of all that life holds dear 

Or death can take: "Ivan, speak to me, 

And say thou dost repent of all the wrong 

Committed by thy soul, say but one word. 

Or breathe a sigh, contrite for all thy sin, 

Remorse but manifest, and He will hear. 

In mercy grant thy deep repentant prayer." 

As softly as the snowy petals of 

A sweet and drooping rose are forced apart 

In broken bud, his trembling eyes unclosed. 

And solemn as the faint and mourning wind 

Of summer night he spoke in trembling tones, 

With pale and rigid lips : "I grieve — repent 

Of all the wrong that ever I've commit, 

Because the pains of Hell I dread, the loss 

Of Heaven fair, but most of all because 

The sacred heart of God in wilfulness 

I have offended in the time of life. 

128 



IVAN 

Have mercy then and save me now from death. 

Why art thou here? My comrade, Percival, 

The battle's thine and won, and I was mad 

To fight against the holy Emperor, 

Rejected now no more, for I embrace 

With all my dying strength, my soul, my heart. 

And feeble mind, the wondrous truth and light 

Which now I clearly see, as crucifix 

Of gold which thou dost hold with trembling hand 

So close before my failing eyes — Farewell, 

Sweet friend, farewell, for death comes down as 

night. 
I die in peace with Him who loveth me." 



129 



XIII 

The moon arose in dread and flaming might 

As though in golden beauty magnified, 

From out the scarlet horizon, above 

A cloud of battle's suffocating woe, 

A remnant of the storm which wildly broke 

So late upon the dark midsummer earth. 

In fury spent; a dim reminder of 

That fearful night, which in ascending gloom 

And terror undefined will wrap the earth 

In helpless consternation, circle it 

With fire, terrific whirlwind from below. 

All nations to destroy. In silence stretched 

The plain beneath the scarlet cloud, in deep 

And bloody gloom. The prisoners of the truth 

Extended lay in death upon the field. 

From silent lips there came no agony 

Of dying grief upon the heavy air. 

No movement of a hand, nor beating of 

A heart, could be discerned upon the plain; 

For all in dread and silent death was wrapped 

In golden gloom of moon's ascending reign. 

Dark rose a cedar tree below the plain. 
Where weirdly shone the moon in silence o'er 
The ghastly marsh, uplifting in its form 
The mystery of death, the battle's woe. 
Within its shadow deep was Ivan hid. 
As broken reed upon the sodden earth, 

130 



IVAN 

As reed by a child cast thoughtlessly aside; 

A lily of the marsh, a flower pure 

And fragrant, white, lay o'er his silent heart, 

Reflecting beauty pale of snowy hands 

Which lay in form of cross upon his breast. 

His face in silent death was quiet as 

The solemn night which wrapped the mystic plain 

In scarlet beauty weird; as silent as 

The night the sable mantle round his form 

Was wrapped in sombreness which mingled with 

The shadows of the earth : for he was dead 

Upon the bloody marsh and veiled from light 

Of golden moon ascending mournfully 

And clouded o'er the bending cedar tree, 

No more to rise in mystery of life. 

Forever in the hands of voiceless death. 

Dark glowed a hidden pool in marshes deep 
And red with blood of those who ghastly lay 
Upon the field above; about it fell 
The thick o'erhanging reed, the trailing vine, 
Which trembling grew as though a secret was 
Of terror hidden in the scarlet pool. 
As darker came the shades of evening down 
Through early mists that rise beneath the ray 
Of clouded moon, a frightful form arose 
From out the dark and hidden pool of woe 
A serpent hideous, distorted, black. 
Arose through bloody element as though 
From out the mouth of unsuspected Hell 
In surface of the Earth. It was the form 
Of sinuous Baalzebub, material, 
Disguised in serpent's scaly subtleness, 

131 



IVAN 

Anticipating soon to drag the form 
And yet imprisoned soul of him who lay 
Upon the earth, through grassy pool of blood, 
To degradation deep and terrible, 
To sink forevermore into the night. 

Arising from its dark, mysterious den. 
The serpent slowly crept upon its prey; 
The slime of ghostly pool was dripping from 
Its horny head, fell darkly on the reeds 
That trembling bent beneath the writhing fold 
Of demon black, in substance of the earth 
Disguised, obscure to mortal's fearful sight. 
Its dark, malignant eye with deepest hate 
Was sparkling as the hue of scarlet field, 
As on it writhed through fold luxuriant 
Of trembling grasses tall and broken reed. 
To solemn bank beneath the cedar tree 
Where laj' imprisoned yet the silent soul 
Of Ivan fair. for material aid 
Its purpose to frustrate, to save from death 
Imprisoned soul, to guard the helpless one 
With armored steel of might ! for a hand 
With flaming sword to cleave the subtle mask, 
And drive the scornful head into the earth. 
To break the spell of demon hate, to drive 
It far into the abysses of the night. 

It reached the bank, with glistening eye it raised 
A diabolic head which closely scanned 
The scarlet horizon, but shrank away 
From risen moon as shadows from the light; 
Then bolder grew and sent its body far 

132 



IVAN 

And sinuous to the very mantle fold 

Of silent warrior; but swiftly drew 

In writhing back, as stung by silver light, 

And coiled in pain, yet fearful to depart. 

For on the lifeless heart, beneath the hand 

Of snowy white a holy scapular 

Shone in mysterious light, a radiance bright 

Of silvery beauty from its secret fold 

Ascended to the sky. Upon it was 

Impressed the sweet and gentle countenance. 

Seraphic features of that Lady fair 

Who rules in glory Queen of Heaven bright, 

Protecting with the might of purity 

Through merit of her Son, from dangers of 

The unholy night the soul which bore upon 

Its deep repentant form her armour bright. 

Secure from all the snares of Baalzebub. 

Soon swiftly solemn o'er the sloping hill, 
Within the sombre mist, in silhouette 
Against the scarlet terror of the moon, 
From out the silent west there weeping came 
Three mortal forms arrayed in garments of 
The hue of dread and wild descending night, 
As guided by the hand of warrior bright. 
Invisible above — Saint Michael's hand. 
Who in protection hung above the field 
Of battle, ghostly dim and tenible. 
One shuddered as she passed the countenance 
Of pallid hue, the rigid hand, the form 
Of those who lay in blood forever still; 
But hesitated not until she came 
In silence to a well beloved form 



133 



IVAN 

And stood in helplessness. His hands were cold, 
In death upon his brow the dew of night 
Impearled shone faintly in the glow of red, 
Ascending moon. No beating of the heart. 
Nor sigh, escaped the lips, for all his form 
By jealous hand of death lay wrapped, secure 
From dangers of the earth forevermore. 



134 



XIV 

Down on 
The gleaming white and cross surmounted spires 
Of Altenstein the sun in glory streamed 
So dazzling bright that in the rippling wave 
Of silent river flowing calmly down 
To smiling summer vale luxuriant 
In glowing green of field and pasture fair, 
The castle was reflected to the view 
As white and dreamy cloud upon the east. 
A holy calm o 'erspread the gardens wide 
And high where myrtles cast their showy pink 
And fragrant bloom, and lay as peaceful as 
The holy dream-like mist in vales below. 
Upon the quiet air the subdued cry 
Of distant bird, the locust's shriller song 
Attuned to minor melody of joy, 
Came as a serenade from elm tree 
Which towered high in solemn majesty 
Above the quiet earth. There was no sign 
Of storm which furious had lately blown 
In whirlwind's desolating might from out 
The sullen north; nor war's red holocaust 
Upon the fearful skies of night ; but scarce 
Distinguished through the forest, dim and wild 
The frowning black, the walls and towers of 
Oelmar deserted seemed and desolate 
In rugged gloom beside the darker stream. 

135 



IVAN 

The light streamed down through gothic windows 

bright 
Upon an altar high and white as bloom 
Of fragrant roses bending solemnly 
In adoration sweet. Two candles burned 
In soft and golden flames of purity, 
Seraphic sentinels who guarded there 
The bright and golden tabernacle door, 
The mystery imprisoned in its wall 
Of marble white. They lit with holy gleam 
The candlesticks of gold which stood on high 
Before a crucifix, and burned with light 
In harmony with dark and glowing flame 
In golden sanctuary lamp which hung 
In joy above the angel guarded shrine. 
Across the quaintly wrought, mosaic floor 
A little altar boy, and sweetly pale. 
In crimson robe arrayed which was half veiled 
By snowy surplice o'er it gently flung, 
In reverence passed, in loving preparation 
For the pure and stainless sacrifice 
To soon arise in celebration of 
The feast of love to Mary's heart most pure. 

Within the sacristy, through open dqor 
Perceived, the amice Ferdinand had bound 
With holy prayer about his glowing throat. 
And carefully had thrown about his form 
The snowy alb, which fell in graceful fold 
Upon the marble floor. He bound it close 
With golden cincture, looking up to God 
In Heaven, upon his earnest lips a prayer 
For strength to fight and overcome the hosts 

136 



IVAN 

Of night who strive to drag the innocent 
From happy state to degradation low 
And terrible. The stole, the maniple, 
The sacred chasuble, with prayers devout 
He slowly donned with care; then lifting up 
With tender smile of love a simply wrought 
And glowing chalice of pure gold he turned 
And followed in the steps of servitor. 
With earnest eyes downcast, in movement slow 
And calm as light which irresistible 
Maintains at morn its triumph on the sky, 
To sunlit shrine which stood in readiness. 

When turning to descend the altar stairs 
In solemn reverence beginning mass, 
To Cornelia's dreamy eyes he seemed 
An angel fairer than the one who came 
In raging storm of black and dreadful night 
Which swept so late about the castle walls. 
Steadfast in power of the halls of truth. 
The wondrous beauty of his face entranced. 
The virgin blue of eyes mysterious 
Upraised for one brief instant to the quaint 
And gothic choir, the dark unruffled hair 
Which clustered close and tenderly about 
A white and noble brow of innocence; 
Chaste moving lips, wherein the glowing hue 
Of pink in perfect beauty was contained; 
Pure lips which moved in loving prayer for all 
The wicked hearts of men, and offered up 
For them the holy saerifiee of peace. 
What angel could be dearer to the hearts 
Of those who cling with love and confidence 



137 



IVAN 

To mighty arm of priest, who has the power 
To bind or lose on earth the souls of men. 

It was the feast of gentle Mary's heart 

Most holy, pure and high, and brightly on 

The goldened bordered chasuble, within 

The sacred form of pale embroidered cross 

Her face appeared in lines of deepest blue. 

As if through her most glorious heart this day. 

As sweetest incense, all devotions would 

Ascend unto the Sacred Heart of Him 

Who placed her on His high and golden throne 

Above the angels, to deliver man. 

Cornelia prayed; devotion wrapped her in 

Its soft and golden veil; she seemed to hear 

Above in calmly sweet accompaniment 

To prayer and silent movements of the priest 

A viol's clear seraphic music sweet 

Which sounded near. The chime of sanctus bell 

Brought terror to her heart. Swiftly she knelt. 

While angels sang in notes of joy about 

The Holy shrine where God came down in love, 

Not even daring to uplift their eyes. 

In beauty bending low the Lord to greet. 

In wrapt attentiveness Cornelia saw 
The holy priest uplift the chalice high 
And golden, drinking lovingly, as though 
Translated from the earth to Paradise; 
Then hold it tenderly while he who served 
Kissed lovingly two bright and crystal vials 
And poured from one a liquid sparkling bright. 
He drank again from sacred vessel of 



138 



IVAN 

The humble poor, and turning moved toward 

The little crimson clothed altar boy. 

A dazzling light streamed down from Heaven on 

His glowing form, as if assuming in 

Its early ray his soul in glory bright. 

To bear it up to God and to the one 

On whose annunciation feast his sweet 

And clear blue eyes first saw the light of day. 

But soon, how swift the golden moments fled, 

The mass was o'er, and when Cornelia raised 

Again her startled eyes the priest who seemed 

To her an angel clothed in shining robe 

Of gold had genuflected low and gone 

From altar white. 

But far upon the morn 
A bugle note was heard, as solemn and 
As sweet as note of Gabriel which on 
The air will sound in warning o'er the earth 
When he descending calls the faithful soul 
To God. Within the eastern portal white 
And gleaming high as great cathedral door 
Of marble pure, beneath a graceful spire 
On gothic imminence, Cornelia stood 
In dread expectancy, in fear and watched 
Through myrtle trees of green o'ercovered with 
The fragrant blossoms pink, extending to 
An arch above the gate on pillars high, 
Serenely sweet in early glow of sun. 
The dew of early morn upon the petals borne 
Of flowers pale through faint ascending mist 
Of dull and dreamy blue; the charm of hope 
Contained within their beauty delicate, 

139 



IVAN 

The balm of peace within their fragrance rare 
Diffused upon the morning atmosphere. 

The iron gate in dread solemnity 
Swung slowly back, and through its myrtle arch 
Advanced with measured tread a bugler robed 
In black, and bearing on his crest the plume 
Of Oelmar dark. His clarion note pealed forth 
In measured solemn sound, proclaiming loud 
The advent of death within the castle walls, 
So weirdly sad in gloom, compelling sweet 
But flood of tears its sorrow could complete. 
Within his steps and through the myrtle gate 
The soldiers came. They were attired in hue 
Of deepest, dark and silent grief that burned 
Repressed in bosoms flooded with the tears 
Of penitence, awaiting but the sound 
Of melancholy voice in solemn gloom. 
To break in woe, in lamentations deep, 
In sorrow forth, as wild and stormy air 
Lpon the desert plain, as deep as wail 
Of night upon a battle field alone 
Where in the solemn mystery of death 
Lie wrapped in gloomy shrouds the souls of men. 

With solemn, measured tread and slow, the long 
Procession came, of gloom enshrouded black 
Beneath the gleaming arch of myrtle tree 
In bloom. With death inspiring gloom it wound 
In dreadful line up to the marble door 
Of Altenstein, and deep the solemn knell 
Of tolling bell in cross svirmounted spire 
Pealed forth in measured tones and funereal, 

140 



IVAN 

As through the iron gate on cedar bough 

The bier upborne in strong but trembling hands 

Of sable soldiery, the knightly form 

Of Ivan in its gloom and sorrow came; 

As o'er the human heart when love is dead 

Its ministers portray the beauty of 

Its silent form, so cold in death his face 

Above the gloom of shroud encircled bier 

Appeared in light as that of little child 

In peaceful slumber deep. Three mourning forms 

Behind him sadly came, and as they passed 

Slowly within the iron gate it closed 

With heavy sound upon the morning air. 

In solemn state before an altar high 

Of Altenstein in peacefulness there lay 

On bier of cedar bough the knightly form 

Of Ivan pale, in kingly beauty proud. 

On either side a row of candles bright 

And burning steadily inconstant gleamed. 

Revealing white his ghostly face, the hands 

Which folded as a cross upon his breast 

In silence lay, star-sweet against the gloom 

Of dark appalling shroud, forever still. 

So, pale his beauty shone to Catherine there 

Who robed in black, in deep humility 

Knelt motionless beside his lowly form. 

The tears had ceased to flow, the heart in grief 

Was wrapped in night of darkest calvary. 

Was broken as the heart of one who wept 

Thereon, and followed to the sacred tomb 

Of newly carven stone, in lowly grief, 

Unspeakable, in deepest woe of death, 

141 



IVAN 

Her only Son, who from the cross to her, 
By fiends crucified, returned again. 

High in the gothic choir knelt Percival, 
A mourner's mantle o'er his dusky robe 
Of green, which shining partly through revealed 
In mystic light a cross of wondrous gold 
Upon his youthful heart. His flowing hair 
Whereon the gold of sunlight softly shone, 
His face so pure and white, the eyes of blue, 
The lips of sacred mould, his countenance 
Was filled with holy light of sombre faith. 
In lowliness he bent to pray; a tear 
Fell softly down upon the cedar bier. 
With clasped hands by him Cornelia knelt 
In snowy robe; her eyes of darkest hue 
In perfect faith and innocence were raised 
In beauteous light; her lips with childish prayer 
For him who lay below were moving swift 
And silently: for hope forever springs 
Within the heart of youth, as fountain of 
The radiant light, the fair and mystic hue 
Of rainbow in the sky which hangs above 
The deeper gloom of dark enshrouded earth. 

Within the vaulted choir another knelt. 
As gracious as the light which softly down 
Descending through the holy window high 
Threw shadow of a lamb in radiance of 
Its heavenly peace upon her snowy form 
Which in reflection, softly calm in peace 
And holiness, shone on the quiet face 
Of him so white above the sable gloom 

142 



IVAN 

Below. It was the form of Adelaide; 

O'er her a mantle hung in tenderness, 

In solemn beauty such as wraps the stars 

On holy night. She wept in silence as 

The raindrops falling down upon the earth 

That quiet lies behind the trail of storm, 

As though to gently soothe the broken bough 

Of cedar tree which caught by angry wind 

Lies shattered on the ground, as though to smooth 

The furrow softly in the earth, which made 

By raging flood which swept the frenzied air 

And calm secluded green, now lies bereft 

And bare unto the angry sky, defaced 

In frightful storm of warring elements. 

Its Springtime beauty fled, the Autumn come. 

Before the altar high Cajetan stood 

In robes of sable black to oft'er up 

The holy sacrifice for him who lay 

In death below, in white material form, 

The soul within the body's tomb inclosed. 

He solemn threw from urn of dusky gold 

In hands of little servitor upheld 

The water holy, broke the sombre spell 

Which bound to earth the soul of Ivan fair. 

Wildly the golden flames of candles leaped 

In frantic fear, and o'er Cajetan 's heart 

A strange appalling gloom, in terror strove 

To subtly creep, but vain the evil charm; 

The holy priest returned to altar high 

And gleaming white, and from his sacred lips 

The fervent prayers of man were breathed to Him 

Who heard upon His throne above. His dark 

143 



IVAN 

And mystic eyes in rapture seemed entranced, 

As slowly to and fro he moved again 

In holiness, in calm and fortitude 

Intrepid against the enemy unseen; 

A soldier of the cross who fought serene 

Inspired by sweet assurance from above. 

Scarce audibly he breathed the words of mass 
In fervor deep, in tenderness and love. 
And as the sacred bell in triumph rang 
At consecration, Michael swiftly came 
With hosts of angels bright, descending with 
His Lord upon the altar high. In love 
He raised the soul which lay on cedar bough 
Where holy water gleamed in candles' light 
As early dew, which on its solemn green 
Had fallen mystically, defying dark 
Baalzebub and all his league of night, 
Who shrank in terror back before his form 
Which glorious appeared in splexador of 
The morning light; in consternation wild. 
Defeated evermore in battle for 
The soul of him encircled with the light. 
And fleeing as a cloud before the sun 
Sought regions of the night, and battleground 
Afar, no more to overthrow in war 
The weaker soul of man, to deadly strive 
Against the God of all the universe. 



144 



XV 



Afar beyond the blue midsummer skies, 
The dark and changing atmosphere of earth, 
The misty clouds which float in grandeur by 
The circling horizon, so far the earth 
From that exalted place within the light 
Seems but a star which quivers on the rim 
Of all the universe, whose transient rays 
Are seen but dim and undefined, and set 
With millions in the diadem of night : 
High in the changeless realm of Paradise 
Close by the crystal sea, the throne of God 
Which mighty gleams, there is a garden fair, 
Unknown to mortal eyes, to mind of man 
Incomprehensible, its beauty high 
Exquisite in the holy love and peace 
From out the heart of God in perfect joy, 
As o'er the darkened earth the morning sun 
In glory streams through crimson clouds of night 
Which glow as softly as the summer sea 
And neath the fragrant touch of breezes form 
A solemn halo in the eastern sky. 

Beneath the soft and crimson light which shone 
In beauty down upon the garden fair. 
In mystic glow as drifting dreamy mist 
O'erspreads a summer grove in early morn. 
Arising peacefully, majestic trees 
Of sacred form in leaf of olive green, 

145 



IVAN 

Grew on the gentle slope from snowy hall 

Of mansion white, and shaded tranquilly 

The pleasant winding way that changeless seemed 

To glow, effulgent in the crimson tide 

Of gleaming light mysterious within 

Those beauteous gardens of the Sacred Heart. 

A thousand scarlet flowers blooming there 

Appeared in deep titanic foliage of 

A dusky green, reflecting wondrously 

The deep and sacred glow of rays that formed 

A diadem about the flaming spire 

On which a golden cross in majesty. 

In splendor, gleamed, which lit the shaded green 

And pleasant winding way which brightly led 

To ancient tree, with pure and holy light 

As scarlet fires of sanctuaries gleam. 

Upon the ancient tree which solemn rose 

In grandeur high above adjacent grove, 

As mighty ruler towers o'er the wall 

Of time, its many thousand leaves, the ^lape 

Of Sacred Heart, in deepest hue of green 

And faintly traced with glowing tint of red, 

Whispered secretly in fond companionship. 

Its mighty trunk uprose beside a well 

Which flowed in clear and rippling beauty sweet. 

And spread in drooping branch about a space 

As glowing wide as snowy throne above, 

O'ershading scarlet flowers at its base, 

Protecting with its might the winding way 

That led by many a bright and pleasant turn 

Up to its silence deep unbroken but 

For flow of rippling waters clear which rose 

146 



IVAN 

In crystal beauty from the circled well 
Of oriental form, o'ergrown with vine 
Of ivy green, which fell in gentle line 
From glowing marble mouth and lay upon 
The sands in crystal light of many drops 
Of clear and purest stream; its holy peace 
Surpassing that revealed to distant earth. 

As sweetest music to the ear of One 

It fell in trembling adoration on 

The snowy sand, and rippling in a song 

Of joyous minor strain, in cadences 

Of love, fled down the sloping hill, amid 

The pleasant green of misty garden high 

Until it softly fell into the sea 

And joined the harmony of seraphim. 

Upon the holy well in purest robe 

Of white, beneath the mighty strength of tall 

O'ershading tree, surrounded dreamily 

By crimson glowung light, the only Son 

Of God was bending down in majesty, 

And listened to the strain of mortal's sphere 

The sparkling waters bore in fountain clear 

Arising from the light of earth below; 

It bore upon its flood the ceaseless cry 

Of man, transmuting all his pain, 

His grief to perfect joy, in melodies that rang 

Scarce audibly and weird as waters flow 

That gently fell from marble gleaming mouth 

Of ivy covered oi-iental well. 

As delicate and white as purest bloom 
Of lily pale which glows in virgin vale 

147 



IVAN 

Untouched by man, as chaste as changeless snow 
On highest mountain peak above the cloud 
Of summer, pure as morning star above 
The scarlet earth, as beautiful as dream 
Which comes to mind of innocent enwrapped 
In mystic spell of holy banquet sweet; 
Immaculate, more fair than flaming soul 
Of seraph high, the King of Heaven bowed 
In contemplative love, and heard the cry 
Of little, feeble, struggling ones below. 
Lamb of God, thy beauty is so white 
And wondrous fair, the mortal mind is lost 
In rapture at the thought of Thee, the heart 
O'erwhelmed with love unspeakable; and dost 
Thou deign to look upon Thy children then 
With eyes so sweetly pure and smile of love 
As deep; the glowing heart is lost in love 
And wrapped in ecstasy so strangely sweet, 
So pure and all consuming bright that earth 
May scarce contain its prisoned trembling soul. 

He hears the sobbing voice of little one 
Bereft of all which mortal life holds dear, 
Who crushed by hand of demon mastered heart, 
Tyrannic, cries in dread petition deep 
To that unfailing One who marks the fall 
Of sparrow to the earth. With loving might 
He comes to dwell within the heart and guide 
It gently through the days of suffering with 
A gracious hand; to poor Samaritan 
He gives protection swiftly sure, and in 
The future days when sin creeps darkly in 
To grieve His Sacred Heart, with hand of love 

148 



IVAN 

Still is the way to Heaven pointed out. 
Affliction comes to turn the erring soul 
Unto its God, and when again the bowed 
And frightened penitent with broken heart 
And soul so darkly stained with leprosy 
Stands afar and cries: "Have mercy, Jesus!" 
He bids him trembling go unto His priest 
Where all the crimson stains are washed away; 
Sweet peace and innocence in beauty rare 
Enthroned; and all his future days are spent 
In peace of mind, in love and happiness. 

When Jesus bent and smiled in purity 
Upon the clear and silent depths below. 
Which closely mirrored earth in mists afar. 
He caught the earnest prayer of little child 
Which mingled softly with a deeper one, 
A priestly suppliant. Through crystal well 
He bent a calm and loving eye iipon 
The distant spires of radiant Altenstein. 
Within the hall before an altar high 
By which Cajetan stood he saw a bier 
On cedar bough, in solemn state between 
The candles blessed, and lit with holy flame. 
It was Cornelia's voice so clearly heaj:'d, 
Cornelia bending low, the innocence 
Of childhood on her white and noble brow, 
Whose beauteous hair but seemed reflection dim 
Of that transcendent light which shone above, 
A crimson glow within the mansions high. 
The mystic gardens of the Sacred Heart. 
With love He smiled upon the little one 
And gave assurance sweet that all her prayers 

149 



IVAN 

For him whose earthly form beneath her lay 
In silent gloom would not unanswered be. 

With gentle sigh He raised His beauteous eyes; 
Turned from the rippling well to gaze upon 
The path ascending from the realm of earth, 
But let a snowy hand which bore the print 
Of nail, remain within the crystal well 
To feel the grief which rose from out its flood. 
Faintly and far on crimson ray which led 
To earth He saw upon the rolling clouds 
Saint Michael clothed in armor bright ascend 
As glowing ray from cross surmounted spire; 
Transcendent shone his helmet's glowing light, 
But from his sword there flashed a silvery gleam. 
Within his arms he bore as little child 
The soul of Ivan robed in sable hue, 
As earthly form in mystery below; 
And hesitating not alighted swift 
Upon the far and crj^stal sea of light; 
Traversing hastily with flaming tread 
Its rolling deep transparent flood; at length 
Upon the shores of Heaven's garden high 
Respectfully his golden sandaled feet 
Were placed in holy confidence and love. 

Before his Master bowing low he wound 
His golden mantle from the soul of man, 
Of Ivan dark, and calmly placed him down 
As little child upon the marble stair 
On which the clear and singing water fell. 
Prostrate, Ivan, adoring, full of fear. 
His God, remained in silence for a time, 

150 



IVAN 

Who viewed him tenderly, and solemn thus 

Within the scene, the peaceful radiance 

Of gardens exquisite of the Sacred Heart 

The three remained in silence strangely deep. 

Before the mind of Ivan, one by one, 

The sins of all his life were then portrayed. 

Divested of the veil material. 

He shuddered terribly, in horror deep 

And uncontrolled at crimes arising in 

Their hideous, wild and black enormity; 

But most of all the sin of unbelief 

And those depending on its principal 

Were as a cloud which rolled in frightful storm 

Of woe inspired and dark tempestuous fear. 

At length the Master spoke in tones of love, 
But firm as golden harp attuned by hand 
That skillful struck its sounding chords afar : 
' ' Ivan, raise thine eyes : behold the grief 
I felt at thy transgressions dark and deep. ' ' 
Ivan looked as one who on the sun 
Gazes at evening tide when all the west 
Is glowing in the scarlet light, and saw 
A bleeding heart, entwined with crown of thorns, 
From which a golden flame of love issued. 
He saw his Master's heart in bosom white 
Tortured in agony for the sins of those 
Who faithless leave Him on the blinded earth. 
He sank again in wild and deep despair 
Upon the marble stair, and muttered low: 
''My glorious Lord, the deepest place in Hell 
Should be the just reward for all the crime 
Committed by these demon guided hands, 

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IVAN 

Which bound thy holy ones and cast them down 
Into the dungeon low; the wayward heart 
Which fought against Thy holy will and strove 
Thy throne on earth in ruin to overthrow." 

"My child, thou hast condemned thyself to woe, 

To endless punishment. Thou seest now 

The fearful shame of all thy evil deeds. 

And greater than them all the unbelief 

Inspired by Satan 's mind : But I am Love ; 

And Mercy tempers now the just decree. 

I saw thee when a child thy heart was mine. 

And loved thee fondly in the time of youth. 

I guarded thee with angels on the earth — 

But what grief when thou didst darkly fall 

As flaming star from out the peaceful skies 

Of earthly night — Denying even me 

In base ingratitude. I saw thee when 

Thy mother plead, when as a fastened door 

Thy heart denied its friends. I grieved when thou 

Didst bind my servitors and cast them down 

Beneath thy castle walls. I saw thee when 

The fear of sin thy heart could never move 

By apparition dread and terror of 

The frightful storm descending on Oelmar. 

''But counterbalanced are the evil deeds — 
Almost — Thy death occasioned for a friend, 
For Percival, so faithful and beloved, 
Who mourns for thee below in sorrow deep — 
Renouncement brave of evils darkly borne 
Within a heart repentant while the soul 
Was yet on earth in bonds material — 

152 



IVAN 

The prayers of those who intercede for thee 

Have touched my heart : but justice must be done. 

Thou hast pronounced thy sentence terrible, 

But I will lighten it. Go, suffer in 

A dungeon deep, a purgatorial cell, 

Until a scion of thy noble race, 

Which wars against my power upon the earth. 

Shall turn to me again, and worship in 

The halls of truth and purity; shall pray 

To me for thee imprisoned dark and low 

Within a silence deep and frightful as 

The dungeons of Oelmar. Do not despair; 

This hope shall be thy stay, that when thy time 

Is suffered out below thou shalt return 

And dwell with me in Heaven eternally." 



153 



XVI 

Alone, beside a cold and solemn tomb, 
Windblown, upraised in gleaming white against 
The Autumn sky; where faint and far away 
The circling clouds of white rush down in flight 
To sombre horizon, where golden, brown, 
The leaves are rustling wildly by, with low 
And moaning sound, as though preoccupied 
With hidden thought of fear, and sighing o'er 
The summer past in retribution deep. 
And vainly seeking for a place of rest; 
At length by air in chilling mazes caught 
And heartless hurled in wanton fury down 
Into the river far bplow : where gently fell 
The light of low inconstant sun which shone 
Above a screen of changing poplar leaf, 
In silence sat before an iron door 
Of solitary tomb the darkened form 
Of Catherine arrayed in mournful robe, 
In sable hue, a silhouette against 
The prominence of marble gleaming white. 

Oppressed, low bent the sighing reeds beneath 
A northern blast, extending branch of green 
Into a rippling pool, as though in search 
Below its sphinxlike surface for the days 
Of softly sighing breezes from the south, 
And summertime, for days forever gone 
Beyond the sobbing call, or plaintive cry 
That rose amidst their slender beauty deep. 
Far, far away the sound of evening bell 

154 



IVAN 

Was heard, o'er ancient forest weirdly borne 
On swift inconstant wind from out the north; 
But wilder on its changing current came 
The shriller cry in far ^^nswerving• flight 
From snowy form of bird as though pursued 
By fear of danger on the Autumn sky. 
So sped the sombre day swift to its close 
In strange prophetic gloom, a chilling sheet 
Of grey which falling hid the yellow leaf, 
Obscured the joyous flower which in time 
Of summer bloomed upon the brow of youth, 
And gave its peace to heart of penitent. 

''Safe from the chilling blast, safe from the charm 

Of sorcerer, who with malignant hand 

Strikes from the heart of youth its cherished bloom. 

Its purity, as wanton wind from out 

The frozen north in fury rends the leaf 

From bending tree, and leaves it bare and lone 

Beneath condemning sky. Safe in the tomb. 

And silent, free from sin forevermore. 

From evil, strife, and every woe and care. 

The treasure of my heart secure at last 

From every grief that mortal heart endures; 

Secure within the tomb from subtle snare 

Of dread Baalzebub, no more his spell 

About my darling's soul may hope to fling. 

And never o'er his heart dominion will 

Obtain again. Now may the grieving heart 

In quiet hope to rest; now may the form 

In supplications bend without the tomb 

Of silent, deeply buried love, and plead 

With confidence for safety of his soul. 

155 



XVII 

' ' that this frightful weight of woe would drive 

My throbbing, tortured brain into the gloom 

Of madness, and to dread oblivion 

Descending as a suffocating cloud 

Of darkest night upon the underworld 

Of pain and woe. that from palsied hands 

This burning chain in pity could be struck, 

And I at liberty to walk again 

As long ago, upon the quiet earth; 

So far away, it seems inconstant, faint, 

And as a star within a black abyss 

Of all destroying night ; that glowing earth 

Whereon I strove in deadly war it seems 

Unending time, a thousand years ago; 

A frightful age of grief in prison cell, 

Alone, upon the stone a prisoner here 

I've lain within this deep and voiceless pit 

Echoing with the shriek and wailing of 

The lost within their dread and narrow house. 

The suffocating cell of woe and death. 

"What spectre hideous before my gaze 
Now looms ! God ! I see the face of one 
Before me rise, the face of one I loved 
In days forever gone. The helpless lips 
Are moving white as if in voiceless pain. 
The wild appealing eyes in hungry grief 
Transfix me with their terror burning deep; 

156 



IVAN 

And deathlj^ hands are crossed upon a breast. 
What crime do I associate with thee! 
sin, forgotten now, that sinketh deep 
A scourge with countless thong of barbed steel 
Into my soul. pale inconstant form 
And ghostly face of death, which ever as 
A heavy cloud remaineth close to me. 
Unbind the chain and give me liberty; 
Unlock the prison door and save me from 
This woe of death ! Thou mockest at my plea ; 
Thj' heart's a blasted stone of prison floor; 
Thy terror lies oppressive o'er my head. 
Begone, I beg of thee, and leave me now, 

fearful spectre of an inward woe ! 

*'Yet leave me not; for then alone amid 

The shriek and wailing of the lost I am. 

Alone but for the faces hideous 

And black in demon hate that changing mock 

Me in their wild and burning misery; 

That ever float maliciously and slow 

About this charnal cell of penitence. 

My scalding tears have run for ages on 

This cold, unfeeling stone, this bed of woe ! 

That I could rise and see from prison grate 

Through blinding mists that lay in gloom above 

This realm of pain, the river flowing wide 

That rages in its tribulation wild 

Outside my narrow house. What matter if 

1 view upon its tide the shrieking ones 

Who float in swift destruction down, are tossed 
O'er frightful verge of precipice of Hell; 
My penitence as deep and terrible 

157 



IVAN 

Ten thousand times as elevated pride 
Which o'er my soul in former time its sway 
Supremely held. 

' ' But hark ! What awful sound, 
What wild tempestuous roar in terror comes, 
In thunder deep to shake with energy 
This pit of adamant ! What countless groans 
Arise upon the whirlwinds of the night 
In warning to the earth! The waters dash 
In frenzy through the high and prison bars 
And flood my cell! Echoing piteous, 
I hear the cries of mortals borne to death 
Upon that stormy tide; transfixed my soul 
With fearful horror at their end. The seed 
Of unbelief by hand of Leader sown 
In harvest dashes down to Hell — o'erflows 
In raging tide destruction's river deep! 
My God ! It comes to flood the dungeon floor ! 
Save me from death ! must I here remain 
While waters creep upon my stony bed. 
Be strangled as a rat within its cell; 
torture of the damned, I cannot bear it. 
Remember, Loi"d, thy promise long ago." 

As o'er a storm of grief in human heart 
Comes echo of a strain from solemn sky 
Of music sweet inspired by angel's voice 
In words of hope; so high a clarion note 
Adown the corridor resounded clear 
Of purgatory's dim, mysterious hall; 
And sweet above the thunder storm which rent 
In fury deep the underworld of pain, 

158 



IVAN 

Eternal grief and woe, Ivan the strain 
Of Hope discerned; lifted a weary head 
rrom lowly bed of pain, of black despair, . 
Gazed eagerly upon the prison door 
Which barred arose between him and the hall. 
His form in white lay clothed, spiritual, 
As if in death, emaciated by 
The scourges of despair; but purified, 
Again upraised to state of innocence, 
Prepared to meet in glorj' of the sky 
The fair inhabitants of peace. He gazed 
Appealingly with eyes of deepest blue 
Upon the grated door, but strove in vain 
To loose from hands the heavy manacles. 

Within the iron door a key turned swiftly 

Then, a gentle form appeared in light. 

In shadow of the cell; a beauteous hand 

Was laid in smiling confidence upon 

The galling chain which boi;nd the prisoner helpless; 

To the floor it fell upon the stone 

With harsh displeasing noise — the tortured one 

Again was free, unbound forevermore. 

And o'er him bent the form of Michael sweet 

And holy, mild, as some fair knight arrayed 

In robe of gold which fell serenely down 

Upon the barren floor. Within his steps 

Was peace, a gentle radiance of joy; 

His tender eyes were as the stars which shine 

In solemn night o'er path of vanished storm. 

As radiantly he bent o'er mortal form 

And raised from lowly resting place, Ivan, — 

His soul, as fondly a mother o'er her child 

159 



IVAN 

Bends softly down and clasps it to the heart 
With sweet and tender words of love to sooth 
Its troubled sleep, to drive away the spell 
Of demon from its fair and snowy brow. 

"Ivan, I come to bear thee to the sky, 

Away from pain, which burning in thy heart 

Hath purified thy soul forevermore. 

Thy Master bade me come and bear thee up 

Forever in His courts to worship and 

Adore His perfect glory shining forth 

In peace and love: for now on earth below 

A mortal hath returned unto His fold. 

Descendant of that line which strove in war 

On earth the shining Emperor to dethrone. 

And praj^s for thee in Purgatory deep. 

Thy happiness is hardly realized. 

For yet the terror reigning here below 

Hang o'er thy fainting soul as solemn mist 

Obscures the morning ray from mansions fair 

On high. Within my arms I'll bear thee home 

As a little child through shining realms of space. 

Far, far away from all this grief and woe. 

Come to thy God, and joy forevermore." 



WO 



NOV 2\, 1912 



